Monumental Gilt Plaster Architectural Cornice Suite

In the grand tradition of the European Gipsoteca, or plaster cast gallery, there is a profound beauty in the fragment. This monumental archival suite of late 19th-century cornice and architectural moulding represents the "ghosts of a grand interior." Partially gilded and heavy with the weight of history, these pieces offer a rare opportunity to own the literal DNA of a vanished European salon.

To run one's hand over the deeply recessed egg-and-dart motifs and the delicate acanthus leaf carvings is to feel the precision of the Victorian master plasterer. The gilding—now softened into a warm, matte patina—catches the light in a way that modern reproductions cannot replicate. These are not merely decorative elements; they are sculptural anchors for a room.

For the interior designer or cultural collector, this suite offers a sense of settled purpose. Whether displayed as a grouped archival installation on a minimalist gallery wall or integrated into a custom library, these fragments bring an immediate lineage to a space. They are a testament to the Le Historique philosophy: that the most compelling interiors are those that speak of the centuries that came before.

Specifications:

Origin: Italy

Period: Late 19th Century (ca. 1870–1890)

Style: Neo-Classical / Beaux-Arts

Material: Hand-cast plaster with original partial gilding. Wood backing and frame.

Dimensions: 51”H x 45.25”W x 5”D

Condition: Archival condition. These pieces exhibit the "honest wear" of architectural salvage, including minor chips and atmospheric dusting to the gilding which authenticates their 19th-century provenance. The silk backing is worn and tattered, particularly along the extremities and lower margin, exposing its wood backing. The silk is also partly stained and buckled along some edges. 

Note: The fragments are mounted by iron tangs which slightly penetrate the reverse of the display.  The weight and scale of this piece require hanging by a professional.  It can alternatively be displayed on an easel as well.

Delivery: Complimentary shipping within the USA is included in price. Please note, this item ships from our storage facility in Italy. Please allow 4-to-6 weeks for delivery (time required for us to secure the appropriate export license from the Italian Ministry of Culture). Import tariffs may apply.

Historian’s Note:

Plaster moulding in the 19th century was the pinnacle of interior architectural expression, bridging the gap between structure and art. During the Beaux-Arts movement, the use of "Partially Gilt" plaster allowed architects to highlight the rhythmic geometry of a ceiling or cornice, drawing the eye upward to appreciate the height and volume of a room. These specific fragments, with their monumental scale, likely originated from a public building or a grand townhouse of the Gilded Age. Today, they are prized by collectors as "found sculpture," representing a time when even the most functional parts of a building were treated with museum-quality reverence.