Doe and Hope

Description

The very decorative pair of polychrome decorated pedestals, having faux-marble trompe-l'oeil paint decoration to each, with copiously carved tops consisting of acanthus leaf decoration being faux gilt painted, the fluted bases standing on stepped circular plinths and each surviving in the classical taste from the early part of the twentieth century.

The pedestals are presented in uncleaned and unrestored order and are weathered and characterful with the overall patination to the surfaces appealing. Most of the carving remains in tact and softly worn with a couple of losses to the extremities on the acanthus leaves. There is some flaking to the paint, mainly to the tops and bottoms, with some moss and lichen deposits still in situe, commensurate with age and exterior useage. They should now be used inside, or at least covered, if used exterior, as the wood is now quite soft due to the weathering they have sustained.

A Corinthian capital in architectural terms is the top part of a column characterised by large acanthus leaves and fluted columns, as we see here. We suspect they may originate from a commercial setting such as a restaurant or hotel.

A very decorative and useful pair of pedestals that would suit a pair of busts splendidly well.