How do I hang a wall carving?

Wall sculptures and cherub heads usually require secure screw fixings into solid masonry or studwork, utilising existing rear brackets or concealed plates. Weight varies considerably depending on the density of the wood and the presence of gesso layers, so checking the mounting points prior to installation is essential.

What is the difference between putti and cherubs?

Art historical conventions often use putti to describe secular infant figures and cherubs for heavenly messengers, though antique dealers and makers frequently treat the terms as interchangeable. Both forms share the characteristic winged infant aesthetic seen across seventeenth and eighteenth century religious woodcarvings.

How should I clean a gilded wooden sculpture?

Dusting gently with a dry, soft brush is the safest method for preserving fragile gold leaf and polychrome surfaces. Water and chemical cleaning agents must be avoided because moisture quickly softens historic gesso and lifts delicate metallic leaf.

Are these figures from churches?

Many Italian and French carvings originated as architectural elements from altars, chapels, and processional stands before entering the domestic art market. Their religious context accounts for the frequent presence of cloud bases, wings, and ecclesiastical revival styles.