Pair Of Italian 18th Century Gilt Bronze Reliefs After François Girardon Christ And Virgin Mary

 
 
 
 
Pair of Gilt bronze reliefs of earl 18th century, after François Girardon (1628-1715) The original model for these two profiles of the Virgin and Christ dates from 1691. These works were created to adorn the marble high altar designed by the sculptor François Girardon for the Saint-Jean-au-Marché church in Troyes. As early as 1692, the sculptor created a second version of the two medallions with the profiles of the Virgin Mary and her Son to adorn the altar of Saint Ciborium in the same church. The works of the high altar were then molded in terracotta in 1707 to adorn the church of Saint-Nicolas in Troyes.The circular profiles seem to refer to the theme of mystical marriage in Judeo-Christian art.
Both cast bronzes are set within a later carved and wooden frame, topped by a mounted bronze frieze with scrolls and mask.
The diameter of the bronze medallion is cm. 7.2 and they date back to early 1700.
Frame size: Height: 16.5 cm Width: 21.6 cm Depth: 2 cm
Both Medallions are in good condition, with original beautiful gilding, the wooden frame shows minor losses and old restorations, the bronze frieze decoration shows minor losses too.