The Zuern Family of Sculptors, 1585/90 - 1698, Workshop

The Zuern Family of Sculptors

1585/90 - 1698

Workshop

Attributed

"Pair of angel heads"

South German

Around 1700

Carved limewood & polychromy

Wings silver-plated (oxidised)

Height 27 cm, width 23 cm



The angel heads are depicted with animatedly carved hair, and also their asymmetrical wings are shown in a dynamic manner. These features are characteristic of the German Zuern family of sculptors, whose angels or putti have volute-like curls above a high forehead. In typical Baroque style, the angels are depicted with chubby, childlike faces. Because they were originally hung on the top of an altar, the faces are designed to be seen from below. The angels' heads are most comparable to the work of Michael Zuern the Younger (1626-1698), who created more realistic-looking hair sections than those of his predecessors.