LATE 17TH CENTURY, THE GLOBE POSSIBLY ASSOCIATED

There are many examples of supporting caryatid or terme figures in Italian Renaissance and Baroque architecture which became increasingly three-dimensional and decorative in the second-half of the 17th century. This is reflected in the decorative arts of the late-17th century and into the middle of the 18th century, as well, where the utilitarian functions of legs and supports of furniture evolved into legitimate and expressive sculpture. This was most successful in the magnificent console tables and torchère stands, often associated with Roman furniture. Less common are pieces such as the present figure which functions both as a globe stand and free-standing sculpture. There is a related figure of the same date depicting Time holding aloft a globular clock in a private Italian collection (see A. González-Palacios, Il tempio del gusto: Roma e il regno delle due Sicilie, vol. II, p. 65, no. 111).