103 - Pair of frames; Castile, 17th century.

Pair of frames; Castile, 17th century. Carved, gilded, and polychrome wood. Measurements: 25 x 37 cm (x2); 59 x 70 cm (x2). This pair of frames stands out for its rich ornamentation of plant scrollwork, executed in deep relief and covered with a brilliant water-based decoration, framing a group of winged cherub heads, carefully polychromed, which lend dynamism and a distinct sculptural character. The inclusion of these freestanding cherubs, arranged along the centerline and sides of the frame, reflects a style characteristic of the height of the Spanish Baroque period. The expressiveness of the children’s faces, the delicacy of the polychromy, and the vigor of the carving reveal the quality of a workshop specializing in liturgical furnishings and prestigious frames. During the 17th century, Castile developed an outstanding tradition of gilded carving, closely linked to the production of altarpieces and polychrome sculpture. Frames of this nature were intended to house paintings of special significance, both in private chapels and in churches and convents, and they constitute works of great artistic value in their own right.