Italian
Column, 19th century
Painted and gilded wood, 151 x 25 x 25 cm (59 7/16 x 9 13/16 x 9 13/16 in.)
This opulently decorated round column is approximately five feet tall and 10 inches wide. It is a pastiche of elements put together to appear to support a life size bronze sculpture bust of a man. The upper section of the column is a gilded and painted composite capital with two rows of acanthus leaves showing remnants of bright red and blue paint. Above the leaves are gilded ionic-style volutes that protrude from each corner of the plain, square, gilded panel that tops the column. The shaft of the column is a slender, shiny gold cylinder carved in low relief with three circlettes of decoration: hanging tear-drop pendants that reverse to a circle of tall, thin triangle forms, and a circle of framed oval medallions. There is a discreet lower section of the column shaft that is deeply carved with foliage around a standing cupid. The leaves are painted red, green and blue over a gold ground. The base is a series of round and square, gilded, wooden elements. A square of plain wood stained medium brown meets the floor and adjusts the height of the column.
Titian Room
Commentary
This column is assembled from disparate components of differing dates. It is possible that the column was specifically adjusted by the dealer to fit its intended location in the Titian Room. Cellini's bust of Bindo Altoviti was supported by a simple bracketed shelf when the Titian Room first opened in 1903. This column was slipped into place after 1906, giving the impression that it is holding up the bust.
The lower section of the column is deeply carved with foliage and a putto standing on a platform holding cymbals. The forms are painted on a gold ground. The cylinder above is carved in low relief with oval cabochons and obelisks. The composite capital is painted in various colors. The lower carved section with the putto appears to date from the early seventeenth century, the gilded column and capital are eighteenth century, while th ebase and top were added in the nineteenth century.
The lower section of the column is deeply carved with foliage and a putto standing on a platform holding cymbals. The forms are painted on a gold ground. The cylinder above is carved in low relief with oval cabochons and obelisks. The composite capital is painted in various colors. The lower carved section with the putto appears to date from the early seventeenth century, the gilded column and capital are eighteenth century, while th ebase and top were added in the nineteenth century.