18th Century Italian Baroque Giltwood Finial / Curtain Pole Finial

A monumental and highly decorative 18th Century Italian Baroque giltwood finial, likely from a church retablo, altar canopy, or grand tester bed.

Magnificently carved in solid wood with a layered, sculptural form featuring a flaming palmette / crown top, bulbous four-lobed center, and fluted melon base. Retains its original water-gilding over red bole with exceptional timeworn patina, burnished highlights, and gesso showing through in all the right places.