Teca Luigi XIV con elementi in ceroplastica - XIX secoloThe vitrine, made of glass and wood ...

Teca Luigi XIV con elementi in ceroplastica - XIX secolo

The vitrine, made of glass and wood decorated with acanthus leaves with physiomorphic feet, contains a waxwork artefact representing a still life. It is evidently a Vanitas, a 17th-century still life type inspired by the first verses of the biblical book Ecclesiastes, which in Latin read ' vanitas vanitatum et omnia vanitas', alluding to the transience of life. The composition in the shrine presents a skull with a coral sprig at its sides and a hand whose index finger points upwards. The purpose of such a still life is to suggest to the viewer a reflection on the inexorable passing of time and the futility of ephemeral earthly goods and pleasures. The iconography, therefore, has a moralising intent, aimed at inviting viewers to strive for their own salvation.
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Height length depth: 44 x 56 x 36 cm.
Iem condition grading: **** good (minor defects).