Antique Continental Carved Giltwood Feeder Pelican Altarpiece

19th century or earlier, carved wood with gesso and gilt, unsigned, this figuration is a symbol of the Eucharist, Christ's crucifixion, and paternal love, which was regularly featured on Medieval altarpieces and the facades of tabernacles, depicting a pelican with wings outstretched, feeding its offspring with blood from its chest.
Approximately 17 1/2 x 19 1/2 x 5 in.
From a Private Collection, Washington, D.C.
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Good estate condition; some small chips and rubbing to gilt, with some areas of later gilt; some scattered hairlines and old insect damage.