A CARVED MARBLE ARCHITECTURAL FRAME

The composition and stylistic attributes of this frame are similar to a number of fifteenth century tabernacles in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The design of the niche, with two pilasters either side of a central aperture which is supported by an entablature with a molded architrave, ornamented frieze and cornice, and has a triangular pediment above and console below, is closely comparable to a tabernacle of circa 1480-1497 by Andrea Ferrucci (inv. no. 6743-1859). These characteristics, along with the fine and delicate carving of the outstretched dove, scallop shell and palm leaves, point to the frame originating from a high quality workshop in mid to late fifteenth century Florence. It was probably created as part of a tabernacle, or to frame a precious religious image such as a group of the Virgin and Child.