Blackamoor figure
Age: 19th Century
Materials: Wood
Country of Origin: Italy
Description: Venetian blackamoor carved female figure. Polychrome painted and gilded decoration. The woman holds a torch in her right hand. It rests on wooden faux marble base with polychrome and gilded decoration.
Size: On Base: 75" H x 15" W x 15" D
Weight: Approximately 75 lbs
Condition: Good. Some paint and gilding losses. Crack around upper left arm and lower right arm. Crack on bottom approximately 5" in length. Loss on bottom near foot approximately 0.75" x 0.75". The base that the piece rests on has multiple losses. Marble is cracked down the center but fits together.
History: Blackamoor figures (Italian moretto, moretti) are depictions of black Africans used in sculpture, jewelry, armorial designs and decorative art.The blackamoor is typically male, depicted with a head covering, usually a turban, and covered in rich jewels and gold leaf. They are typically enamelled, carved from ebony or painted black to contrast with the bright colors of the embellishments. Depictions may only represent the head, or head and shoulders, facing the viewer in a symmetrical pose.In decorative sculpture the full body is depicted, either to hold trays as virtual servants or bronze sconces to hold candles or light fixtures. They may be incorporated into small stands, tables, or andirons. They are often portrayed in pairs. Andrea Brustolon (1662–1732) was the most important sculptor of blackamoors. Often these blackamoors are in acrobatic positions that would be impossible to hold for any extended length of time for a real person.