Pair of pilasters; Spain, 17th century.

Pair of pilasters; Spain, 17th century.
Carved, gilded, and polychrome wood.
Measurements: 103 x 40 x 11 cm (x2).
A pair of pilasters from a 17th-century Spanish altarpiece, designed as architectural elements to provide structure and ornamental enrichment. Crafted from carved, gilded, and polychromed wood, they feature an elegant vertical composition dominated by refined relief decoration inspired by plant motifs. Prominent at the top is a bird perched on a fruit bowl overflowing with clusters of grapes, pomegranates, and other fruits—a motif of profound symbolic significance alluding to abundance, the Eucharist, and the promise of salvation. Below this group unfolds a delicate array of acanthus leaves, scrollwork, and phytomorphic motifs, executed in pronounced relief and enlivened by subtle polychromy that enhances the decorative effect of the gilding.
The combination of gold with shades of green, red, and blue reflects a common practice in Spanish Baroque altarpiece design, where polychromy helped intensify the interplay of light and shadow and lend greater visual richness to the composition. The carving demonstrates the skill of Spanish workshops specializing in decorative sculpture, which were capable of transforming functional architectural elements into authentic sculptural works. This type of pilaster was part of the structure of large altarpieces intended for churches and convents, delineating the sections where paintings or sculptures were placed and contributing to the monumentality of the whole. Its decoration, inspired by classical motifs reinterpreted with the dynamism characteristic of the Baroque, reflects the balance between architecture and ornamentation that characterizes Spanish art of the 17th century.