Boards for an album

Alois Balán, Valašské Meziříčí, Bohemia,1883–1887

Relief carved linden and oak. Symmetrical Renaissance Revival grotesque motif with a male mascaron, Aphrodite standing in a shell, and scrolling acanthus. Moulded frame with buttons in the corners.

Carving 25.4 × 19 cm / frame 40 × 33 cm

UMP 3007

A description in Czech is written in pencil on the reverse side of the carving: “Wooden panels for an album – oak moulded frame with linden panel on the front. Finely carved relief with vegetable and mascaron decoration; nude Aphrodite in a shell in high relief in the centre. Work of the Czech Alois Balán of Valašské Meziříčí from the Eighties. Acquired from the artist 10/12/1887.”

Work of Alois Balán (1863–1949), a sculptor and carver who taught at K. k. Fachschule für Holzbearbeitung in Walachisch Meseritsch from 1884.

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