A PAIR OF PARCEL-GILT PAINTED CARVED WOOD VASE STANDS, EACH IN THE FORM OF TWO PUTTI

These two groups of struggling putti were conceived of as supports for large porcelain vases which would have stood on the circular platforms. Although traditionally attributed to the French sculptor Edmé Bouchardon, this form is more traditionally associated with northern Italy - Venice in particular. However, the present pair, with their distinctive and highly naturalistic faces, seem to share greater similarities with work from other Italian centres, notably Genoa and Milan.