Pair of sculptures, twisted columns, carved wood, gilded and polychrome, 18th century – Spain

A magnificent pair of twisted columns belonging to the decorative structure of a Baroque altarpiece from the 18th century. These pieces were originally attached to the structure of the altarpiece, which is why their ornamentation is concentrated on the visible face; at the back, the carved wood is bare, without gilding and barely polychrome. The twisted columns spiral around themselves in a serpentine shape. Their entire surface is decorated with golden plant motifs on a red background and deep green helicoidal ropes. They end with a complex Corinthian capital, filled with delicate acanthus leaves curving outward. The quality of the gold leaf gilding technique is notable. The twisted columns are a type of architectural column characterised by their helical shape, similar to a screw, and decorated with plant motifs. This architectural style originated in the 16th century in Italy and became popular in the 17th and 18th centuries in Europe and Latin America.