Large 18th Century Carved Wooden Bearded Man in Original Costume and Chair

Live Auction

22" (56 cm.) standing. 16" seated. Having carved wooden head with bald pate,details of carved hair at sides and back of head,long curled carved beard and moustache,painted facial features,glazed blue eyes,strong nose,closed mouth,sculpted ears,linen-strip-wrapped padded armature body with carved wooden hands,expressively-posed fingers. Condition: very good,original throughout with some dustiness of costume,silk on chair exterior a bit worn. Comments: probably Austrian or southern Germany,late 17th/early 18th century,the man represents hierarchy figure of the church,possibly Pope; the last bearded pope was Innocent XII (1691-1700). The man is wearing original traditional liturgical robes and accessories. Value Points: fine carving and painting of features,outstanding detail of costume,especially gold and silver embroidered silk robe,faux-ruby ring; included is original wooden throne chair with silk cover to match his robe,and decorative silk thread flowers along the edges.