Pair of Antique Carved Giltwood Spiral (Solomonic) Columns

Pair of antique carved giltwood spiral columns (Solomonic / barley-twist) - turned and carved wood with water-gilding over red bole, each with a knopped, foliate-carved capital and an iron mounting pin at the top, set on later square wood bases. Columns of this twisted form were widely used in Baroque altarpieces, tabernacles and fine joinery (Italian / Spanish / French, most likely 18th-19th century). CONDITION - heavily distressed decorative condition: extensive losses to the gilding and gesso exposing red bole and bare wood, knocks, old splits and traces of historic worm; mounted on plain later bases. Sold as a decorative pair, 'as found'. NOTE - exact age, origin and whether the bases and pins are original are not confirmed; a specialist inspection could refine both the date and the value, which varies widely for this form. Heights to be confirmed - measure carefully, likely oversized for shipping.