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Artist Unknown - The Mercat Cross, Aberdeen, 1800
Admire this finely carved wall bracket from 1800, featuring a majestic griffin. It's a beautiful example of early 19th-century decorative art, designed to both support and adorn.
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This elegant wall bracket, carved around 1800, features a griffin, a mythical creature with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion. Such brackets were popular decorative and functional elements in homes of the period, often used to display vases, busts, or other prized objects. The combination of mahogany, white pine, and basswood, along with paint and gilding, suggests a refined aesthetic, aiming for both durability and visual splendor. While the artist remains unknown, the piece reflects the sophisticated craftsmanship prevalent in early 19th-century decorative arts. The Art Institute of Chicago's collection includes several other works from this era and region, often utilizing similar wood types, such as the "Cylinder Desk and Bookcase" and a "Looking Glass," both from the same period and made with mahogany and pine.
The griffin's powerful, sculpted form
Traces of original paint and gilding
The intricate carving of the feathers and scales
Admire this finely carved wall bracket from 1800, featuring a majestic griffin. It's a beautiful example of early 19th-century decorative art, designed to both…
This 'Artist Unknown' represents a vast collection of anonymous creators, whose works like 'Boston Common' and 'Self Portrait' offer glimpses into diverse historical periods and artistic practices.
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