How were these carvings used originally?

Carvings served as focal points for prayer and contemplation within altarpieces, choir stalls, and church walls. Life-size figures stood on plinths or acted as reliquaries and candle bearers. Smaller panels and reliefs adorned pulpits and screens, helping to communicate scripture to congregations through visual storytelling.

How do I care for antique wood carvings?

Keep wooden sculptures away from direct heat sources and dramatic humidity fluctuations to prevent the timber from splitting. Dust them gently with a soft, dry cloth without applying modern polishes. Surface treatments like gesso and polychrome paint are delicate and benefit from stable indoor environments protected from direct sunlight.

How can I tell the period of a carving?

Stylistic markers such as the heavy drapery folds of Gothic figures or the dynamic movement of baroque art provide initial clues to dating. Tool marks, wood species, and the presence of original gesso or polychrome layers further help determine age. Comparing construction methods and joinery with documented examples from specific centuries confirms the likely origin.