Doe and Hope

Description

Finely cast in bronze, and now with a beautiful patination, the piece has a good weight and quality feel, the individual detailing to the feathered wings and leaves to the wreath are both particularly fine. The condition is good with only one section to the rear bottom lacking and some surface scratches to the right wing.

Most probably a unique commissioned stand-alone piece, rather than part of a composition, this winged insignia may be connected with symbols of Christianity, or Christmas itself.

Connotations of victory, Julius Caesar for example, proclaimed the laurel wreath "to be a symbol of the supreme ruler”, peace and divinity are also possibilities, whilst more recently, the Mini Cooper automobile makers also chose this combination of motifs in its signage. As angels are messengers of God, perhaps they are carrying a symbolic message here.

A wonderfully distinctive and ornamental bronze, that doesn’t necessarily need explanation of its original intention to bear hugely decorative appeal.