How can an antique religious carving be styled in modern interiors?

An antique wooden bust can be curated on a sideboard top, bookshelf, or deep sill, creating a striking focal point against modern neutral backdrops or minimalist art.

for sale €439 $476

£375

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Baroque Wooden Bust

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18th Century Polychrome Olive Wood Bust – Carved Head of Christ, Italian, Sicilian

Name: 18th Century Polychrome Olive Wood Bust – Carved Head of Christ, Italian, Sicilian
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1223165
Price: 375 GBP
Availability: InStock

18th century

For Sale by Whites Antiques

Description

An 18th‑century carved and polychrome olive wood bust of Christ, likely Italian and possibly Sicilian. Finely modelled with traces of original paint, this devotional head retains a moving sense of presence. With age‑related wear, cut marks and historic worming, it stands as an evocative survivor of early religious craftsmanship.

Why We Love This … There is a quiet, contemplative power to this small devotional bust. Carved from olive wood - a material long associated with sacred objects - the sculptor has captured a gentle, introspective expression that feels deeply human. The surviving polychromy softens the features, while the age‑related wear only enhances its authenticity.

Pieces like this were never made to impress; they were made to comfort, to accompany prayer, to be held close. That intimacy still radiates from the carving today.

At a Glance – Appeal, Desirability & Collectibility

• Date: 18th Century

• Origin: Italy, possibly Sicily

• Materials: Carved olive wood with polychrome paint

• Dimensions: H: 27cm (10.6") | W: 13.5cm (5.3") | D: 16cm (6.3")

• Condition: Fair; cut mark and historic worm holes consistent with age and devotional use

• Notable Details: Expressive carving; traces of original paint; warm olive‑wood grain

• Versatility: Works beautifully in traditional interiors, devotional groupings, or as a sculptural accent

• Collectibility: Strong - early religious carvings in olive wood are increasingly sought after

• Delivery is not included

Physical Dimensions

Height

27cm (10.63")

Width

13.5cm (5.31")

Depth

16cm (6.30")

Declaration

Whites Antiques has dated this Carved Wooden Christ Bust to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1223165

Dealers Internal Reference

CA026

Dealers Notes

We do not include delivery in our prices as this is dependent upon many factors such as whether it is mainland or overseas. The following options are available to you:-

• You can arrange your own collection from our address

• You can fill in the delivery request option

• You can email us for further information if there is more than one item

• Proovia Delivery offer a 2 man delivery system

Description

An 18th‑century carved and polychrome olive wood bust of Christ, likely Italian and possibly Sicilian.

“

Finely modelled with traces of original paint, this devotional head retains a moving sense of presence.

Whites Antiques

With age‑related wear, cut marks and historic worming, it stands as an evocative survivor of early religious craftsmanship.

fig 1. An 18th-century carved olive wood bust depicting Christ with visible traces of original polychrome paint. — fig 1. 18th Century Polychrome Olive Wood Bust – Carved Head of Christ, Italian, Sicilian

Why We Love This … There is a quiet, contemplative power to this small devotional bust. Carved from olive wood - a material long associated with sacred objects - the sculptor has captured a gentle, introspective expression that feels deeply human. The surviving polychromy softens the features, while the age‑related wear only enhances its authenticity.

fig 2. An 18th-century carved olive wood bust depicting Christ with visible traces of original polychrome paint. — fig 2. 18th Century Polychrome Olive Wood Bust – Carved Head of Christ, Italian, Sicilian

Pieces like this were never made to impress; they were made to comfort, to accompany prayer, to be held close. That intimacy still radiates from the carving today.

At a Glance – Appeal, Desirability & Collectibility

fig 3. An 18th-century carved olive wood bust depicting Christ with visible traces of original polychrome paint. — fig 3. 18th Century Polychrome Olive Wood Bust – Carved Head of Christ, Italian, Sicilian

• Date: 18th Century

• Origin: Italy, possibly Sicily

• Materials: Carved olive wood with polychrome paint

• Dimensions: H: 27cm (10.6") | W: 13.5cm (5.3") | D: 16cm (6.3")

• Condition: Fair; cut mark and historic worm holes consistent with age and devotional use

fig 4. An 18th-century carved olive wood bust depicting Christ with visible traces of original polychrome paint. — fig 4. 18th Century Polychrome Olive Wood Bust – Carved Head of Christ, Italian, Sicilian

• Notable Details: Expressive carving; traces of original paint; warm olive‑wood grain

• Versatility: Works beautifully in traditional interiors, devotional groupings, or as a sculptural accent

• Collectibility: Strong - early religious carvings in olive wood are increasingly sought after

• Delivery is not included

Physical Dimensions

Height

27cm (10.63")

Width

13.5cm (5.31")

Depth

16cm (6.30")

Date of Manufacture

Whites Antiques has dated this Carved Wooden Christ Bust to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Ref

SA1223165

Dealers Internal Ref

CA026

About the Dealer

Whites Antiques

Sellingantiques verified Since May 2023

White's antiques collective is the perfect resource for both trade and private clients

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Whites Antiques Profile Page

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An 18th-century carved olive wood bust depicting Christ with visible traces of original polychrome paint.

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Archive I

18th Century Polychrome Olive Wood Bust – Carved Head of Christ, Italian, Sicilian

Archive II

An 18th-century carved olive wood bust depicting Christ with visible traces of original polychrome paint. View II

Archive III

An 18th-century carved olive wood bust depicting Christ with visible traces of original polychrome paint. View III

Archive IV

An 18th-century carved olive wood bust depicting Christ with visible traces of original polychrome paint. View IV

Archive V

An 18th-century carved olive wood bust depicting Christ with visible traces of original polychrome paint. View V

Archive VI

An 18th-century carved olive wood bust depicting Christ with visible traces of original polychrome paint. View VI

Archive VII

An 18th-century carved olive wood bust depicting Christ with visible traces of original polychrome paint. View VII

Archive VIII

An 18th-century carved olive wood bust depicting Christ with visible traces of original polychrome paint. View VIII

Archive IX

An 18th-century carved olive wood bust depicting Christ with visible traces of original polychrome paint. View IX

Polychrome wooden busts are hand-carved devotional sculptures featuring multi-coloured painted finishes, widely produced across Southern Europe during the 18th century for private chapels and religious settings.

Sculptors historically utilized native hardwoods such as olive wood, walnut, or linden, applying gesso preparation layers before brush-painting pigments or gilding details onto the carved surface.

Authentication involves examining hand-carving marks, natural timber shrinkage cracks, age-appropriate paint wear with underlying gesso exposure, and stylistic period features.

Preserve polychrome wooden figures by dusting gently with a dry, soft-bristled brush, avoiding water, chemical solvents, and direct sunlight to prevent paint flaking or wood movement.

Whites Antiques

18th Century Polychrome Olive Wood Bust – Carved Head of Christ, Italian, Sicilian

Whites Antiques

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Whites Antiques

18th Century Polychrome Olive Wood Bust – Carved Head of Christ, Italian, Sicilian

Whites Antiques

Strictly Vetted Dealers

Secure Transit

The Sustainable Choice

FAQs

What is an 18th-century polychrome wooden bust?

What materials were traditionally used to craft religious wooden sculptures?

How do specialists identify authentic antique wooden religious busts?

How can an antique religious carving be styled in modern interiors?

How should polychrome wooden antiques be preserved and cleaned?

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Price

Era

Movements

Material

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Online Payments

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