M218

19th century Italian hand-carved mecca angel in flight with naturally forming baroque pearls on a bed of chalcopyrite in a coordinating Italian fragment base.  The antique angel was once part of a heavenly, angelic depiction in a historic church in Tuscany. The angel holds in each hand a natural baroque pearl symbolizing the biblical reference to the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price, representing great value. The Italian mecca base is filled with Chalcopyrite, a natural mineral with coordinating ore inclusions, and baroque pearls line the edge of the base. Meccatura or Mecca Gilding is a historical technique that adds tone and protects from tarnishing. Together, the angel and natural elements create a figurative, contemporary work of historic significance.  Size: 12" wide x 10" high x 10" deep