17th-Century Italian Carved Marble Plaques

Incredibly well-preserved and stunning in their execution, this pair of marble plaques depict St. Jerome and Mary Magdalene. Hard-carved in Italy in the mid-17th century, these pieces epitomize the dramatic forms that took shape during the Baroque Period. Unlike the preceding Renaissance Period, which prized perfection of form above all else, the Baroque Period heralded in an era of theatricality in art. These figures, in their slightly twisted, dramatic poses, exude that sense of dynamic movement that was so prized.

Each depicted with skulls and crosses, these images of St. Jerome and Mary Magdalene suggest a dramatic moment of repentance and prayer. The expressive, beautifully detailed images form a wonderfully emotional and spiritual image that is typical of the period.

Beautifully crafted, this pair is a true rarity. Not only are decorative works from this period increasingly difficult to find on the market, they are also exceptionally scarce due to their frailty. 

Italian, Circa 1670
12" high x 14" wide x 2 1/2" deep