Antique Venetian Blackmoor Sculpture, Venice Early 18th Century

Antique Venetian Blackmoor sculpture
Venice, early 18th century

Carved, lacquered and gilded wood
Height 155 cm.

Good overall condition, old repainting

Original wooden sculpture depicting a Venetian Moor, wearing a cobalt blue livery, a white striped turban and a skirt with feathers tied at the waist and standing on a rock-shaped base. An emblem of the Venetian sculptural tradition, depicted in a standing position while holding a flowering cornucopia with his hands.

The work is an original from the early 18th century, not one of the copies that, although pleasing, were made at a later date. Entirely original and very well preserved, it has some repainting. It is made entirely of wood carved in black lacquer, with gilded details, and finished in polychrome.

Observing the style of the carving, this sculpture evokes works made in Florence, in particular by Jacopo Maria Foggini, and documented as early as the second half of the 17th century. Characteristic of Venetian secular furnishings between the 17th and 18th centuries, such statues also spread to other regions.

We know that some were made in Florence in the 1780s by the carver Jacopo Maria Foggini and Baldassarre Permoser. The typology still Foggini-like in certain carving solutions in the base and on the bud date these examples to the first half of the 18th century.

The history of the Moors, which has its roots in the Middle Ages with the tradition of jewellery, extended in the 18th century, during the height of the power of the rich maritime republic, to all other spheres of art, especially sculpture and jewellery.

An emblem of the power of the Serenissima and a status of wealth, wealth and power celebrating the supremacy of the Republic over the seas of the Mediterranean, the figure of the Moor thus became the main decoration for the ballrooms of the sumptuous salons of the Serenissima.

We take care of and organise the transport of the purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers.

It is also possible to see the painting in the gallery in Riva del Garda, by appointment; we will be happy to welcome you and show you our collection of works.

In case of purchase of the work by non-Italian clients, it will be necessary to obtain an export permit, which takes about 10/20 days; our gallery will take care of the whole phase until it is obtained. All costs of this operation are included.