Pair Of Romanesque Urns

A pair of early romantic Romanesque Urns.

Making exceptional planters, they are hand-carved in stone in bas relief by the skilled hands of a sculptor. 
Depicting fruits and foliage surrounding mysterious and fantastic forms of mythical birds, imbued with symbolism. They could have been created as symbolic work of art, or be part of a narrative sequence.

The intertwined necks of the pair of swans since Roman times have represented love and purity. The peacock was a popular subject for Roman and Byzantine artists, representing paradise, new life and spring. The bird’s elegant feathers grew each spring, therefore an appropriate symbol for the season. It is known that wealthy citizens of the periods would have kept peacocks to roam about the flowers and trees of their gardens - an appropriate motif for garden urns!

They also feature stylised vine leaves, grapes and acanthus leaves. The rims of the vessels are embellished with Byzantine influenced ornament - geometric circular pattern and interlocking twisted cable.