Pair of Gilded Carved Wood 'Greyhound' Sculptures, Italian Work, Mid-20th Century

This pair of animal sculptures is carved in the round from solid wood. The compositional scheme, designed as a mirrored pair (en pendant), features two seated greyhounds (or whippets) facing each other. The anatomy of the animal is treated with great acuity: the prominent musculature of the chest, the proud head raised towards the sky, and the pinned-back ears give the subjects a posture that is both obedient and majestic. The figures, sporting painted collars, rest on wide, flat-profile circular bases. Technically, the work illustrates the excellence of mid-20th-century Italian gilding workshops. The wood is covered with gilding applied over a red clay bole (bol d'Arménie), creating a warm play of depth. The collars and bases feature a silvered finish that contrasts with the animal's body. This type of large-format decorative statuary aligns with the neoclassical revival and the Hollywood Regency movement. The greyhound, a quintessential aristocratic symbol, was commonly used by decorators to adorn grand entry halls or theatrically flank a fireplace. Good overall condition. The polychromy and gilding display a beautiful patina of use.