Our 18th century wood carvings with painted green backings are considered a “near pair” of architecturals. A near pair means that the items are remarkably similar in style, design, and function, but there are subtle differences between each architectural. This indicates that there were probably more than 2 of these at one point.

Both architecturals have been painted with a “green water” lacquer behind the stained wood corbels with floral and foliate margents. The corbels have been embellished with several volute scrolls, while the green backings have cavetto molding that sit on top of rectangular plinths (although they are different heights). Old iron nails used in the applique construction of these architecturals can be seen on the unfinished backs.

The differences between these architecturals can be seen mostly in the dimensions and the ornamentation of the corbels/margents. The overall height of each architectural has a negligible disparity, but there is a variance of almost three inches to the width (the depth of the architecturals is identical). Both green backings taper from the top to the bottom, however one is about an inch wider than the other. The architectural that is wider has a corbel adorned with a vertical dart that faces up and a curled leaf below. The corbel of the narrower architectural is embellished with scales above a vertical dart that runs downward.

These painted and carved architecturals from the 1700’s can be used in a variety of ways in a home. You can place these underneath a bar/kitchen counter or hang them higher on a wall to display objets d’art or a pair of vases with flowers.

Dimensions of architectural with dart and curled leaf

H – 52 3/8, W – 12 1/4, D – 7 5/8

Dimensions of architectural with scales and dart

H – 52 1/2, W – 9 1/2, D – 7 5/8

CONDITION: Wear commensurate to age and use with old holes from prior installations. Traces of old wood worm with minor rubs and chips to paint. Age separations and minor losses to carvings.