Object type: Bas-relief wood sculpture
Period: Antique, early 19th century
Origin: Sicily, Italy
Medium: Hand carved wood
Technique: Bas-relief
Subject: Figural narrative scene
Dimensions: 17.38 inches width × 5.5 inches height × 2.38 inches depth
Condition: Used. Wear consistent with age. Please refer to photos for details.
Description:
This antique hand carved bas-relief wood sculpture is likely Sicilian in origin. The composition depicts four men engaged in sword fighting, while a man in black in the background appears to be escaping from a window. Reliefs of this type were commonly seen on the backs of traditional Sicilian carts (carretti) during the early 19th century, which were richly decorated with carved and painted scenes from folklore, history, or daily life.
The lower portion of the relief is inscribed with "Bonaventura," which may refer to good fortune or a common surname, and "Giarre," likely indicating the Sicilian village of Giarre. Condition is used, with wear consistent with age. Please refer to the photos for detailed condition documentation.
The traditional Sicilian cart, or carretto, is a richly decorated two-wheeled cart that originated in the 19th century and was used for transporting goods throughout Sicily. These carts are renowned for their elaborate hand-carved wooden panels and brightly painted scenes depicting historical events, religious subjects, or folk tales. The carving and painting tradition is a distinct Sicilian folk art, with regional variations in style, color, and iconography.
Object type: Bas-relief wood sculpture
Period: Antique, early 19th century
Origin: Sicily, Italy
Medium: Hand carved wood
Technique: Bas-relief
Subject: Figural narrative scene
Dimensions: 17.38 inches width × 5.5 inches height × 2.38 inches depth
Condition: Used. Wear consistent with age. Please refer to photos for details.
Description:
This antique hand carved bas-relief wood sculpture is likely Sicilian in origin. The composition depicts four men engaged in sword fighting, while a man in black in the background appears to be escaping from a window. Reliefs of this type were commonly seen on the backs of traditional Sicilian carts (carretti) during the early 19th century, which were richly decorated with carved and painted scenes from folklore, history, or daily life.
The lower portion of the relief is inscribed with "Bonaventura," which may refer to good fortune or a common surname, and "Giarre," likely indicating the Sicilian village of Giarre. Condition is used, with wear consistent with age. Please refer to the photos for detailed condition documentation.
The traditional Sicilian cart, or carretto, is a richly decorated two-wheeled cart that originated in the 19th century and was used for transporting goods throughout Sicily. These carts are renowned for their elaborate hand-carved wooden panels and brightly painted scenes depicting historical events, religious subjects, or folk tales. The carving and painting tradition is a distinct Sicilian folk art, with regional variations in style, color, and iconography.
