A Pair of 18th Century Italian palm vases or portapalme, silvered wooden vases with handles, with a deep Baroque taste carving and an original silver-leaf finish, dark patina is due to silver oxidation. beautiful traces of the underlying Armenian red bole. On the back side they are painted in grey, not finished, like most liturgical altar items.
They come from Emilia Romagna, Central Italy and date back to mid 18th century.
Good fair condition, with a restoration on one base, wear consistent with age and use.
Portapalme are flower vases that were placed on altars as decorations; often small in size and undecorated in the back because they were set against the walls in side altars. Different materials were used, mainly in wood or copper or brass sheets variously embossed or in cast bronze. Palms symbolizing the victory of Christianity are usually replaced by false flowers made of various materials such as fabric, sheet metal, and beads. They are antique stunning decorations to be included in any furnishings and particularly they are often mounted as lamp bases.