The positions of the arms and hands indicate that this and the companion angel originally functioned as candleholders on either side of an altar. Candles were used during the Mass to illuminate the altar and evoke the symbolism of Christ as light.
They were purchased from the Palazzo Strozzi in Florence and probably originated from a church under the patronage of the Strozzi family, who were powerful bankers.
Physical description
Kneeling angel, sculpted in white marble, supporting a candelabrum of carved and painted wood.
[Statue] The angel is winged, dressed in a loose tunic which leaves the forward knee bare. On the forehead is a fillet.
[Candelabrum] Candelabrum, carved and painted.
Place of Origin
Florence, Italy (carved)
Date
mid sixteenth century (carved)
Artist/maker
Cosini, Silvio (probably, sculptor)
Materials and Techniques
Carved marble
Dimensions
Height: 92 cm, Width: 47 cm, Depth: 55 cm
Descriptive line
Kneeling angel, sculpted in white marble, supporting a candelabrum of carved and painted wood, attributed to Silvio Cosini, Italy (Florence), second quarter of the sixteenth century
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
List of Objects in the Art Division, South Kensington Museum acquired during the Year 1882. London, 1883, pp.10
MacLagan, E, and Longhurst, Margaret, H. Catalogue of Italian Sculpture. London, V&A, 1932, pp.136
Pope-Hennessy, John. Catalogue of Italian Sculpture in the Victoria and Albert Museum. London, Her Majesty's Stationary Office, 1964, pp.447
Gamba. 'Silvio Cosini', Dedalo. X, 1929, pp. 232, 239
Bacci. 'Gli 'angeli' di Silvio Cosini nel Duomo di Pisa', Bollettino d'arte. xi, 1917, pp. 111-32
Cook, R, Martin, G. 'Preliminary investigation into discolourations occurring in white marble' in Recent Advances in the Conservation and Analysis of Artifacts: University of London Institute of Archaeology Jubilee Conservation Conference. July 1987, pp.359-364
Subjects depicted
Angels; Wings; Mantles
Categories
Sculpture; Religion; Christianity; Lighting
Collection code
SCP
