How do I live with them?

Mount these pieces securely into solid wall studs to support their substantial carved wooden weight. Position them at eye level to appreciate the sculptural detail. Keep them away from direct heat sources to protect the historic gesso and leaf finishes from cracking.

Are these pieces electrified?

Many surviving examples have been adapted for electricity during the twentieth century to suit modern homes. Original wiring is rarely present on earlier items. Conversion methods vary, so check the bulb fittings and internal channels to ensure they meet current safety standards.

How do I tell periods apart?

Seventeenth-century originals display heavy, unyielding proportions and deep hand-carving born of the period. Later revivals from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries often adopt these historical motifs with different tool marks. Material patination and the composition of the gesso underneath the gilding help reveal the true age of the wood.