Dei Bardi Art

This intricately carved stone corbel from the 15th century exemplifies the refined naturalism and detail characteristic of the Burgundian Netherlands during the later Middle Ages. It portrays an angel's bust with delicately feathered wings and flowing hair, holding a triangular heater-shaped shield against his chest. The angel's hair and wings, rendered with skillful precision, showcase the talent of the anonymous sculptor. The angel's face, featuring almond-shaped eyes, full cheeks, a serene small mouth, and framed by a crown of tightly coiled locks that fall gracefully to the neck, reflects Northern European artistic style, softened by a Southern influence. The figure's square jaw, rounded chin, dense curling hair, and circumflex-accent-shaped eyes, with slightly swollen lower eyelids, strongly resemble Burgundian sculpture from the 15th century. 

The angel's calm demeanor and the finely detailed curls and feathered wings indicate it was created in the Burgundian Netherlands - a region that included present-day Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and northern France, governed by the dukes of Burgundy from the late 14th to the late 15th century. During the reigns of Philip the Bold, Philip the Good, and Charles the Bold, the area became a center of artistic innovation and elite support, with sculpture serving as a primary means to convey dynastic pride and religious devotion. Similar sculpted corbels and keystones are present in major institutional collections. Noteworthy examples include the keystone with an angel from the Zelem Charterhouse near Diest now showcased at the V&A and the Angel corbel with the Coat of Arms of Breda displayed at the Rijksmuseum.