Several of the shops in the central area of Lucca have rather appealing little cherubs adorning their facades. I wondered if a smooth talking cherub salesman had gone through the city at some stage, leaving with a lighter sample case and a heavier purse.
They each have their own personality, someone put time and effort into their design and production. Those who know about such things might be able to tell us what they’re made from. Is it glazed terracotta?
My favourite is the little fellow wearing what seems to be a loin cloth that doesn’t quite do its job.
.
at least one of them looks a little strained, like it’s too much to bear.
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Life’s not easy for these little cuties, it seems!
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Ooh! I like these little cuties!
It would be interesting to learn more about them.
I collect paintings and knick-knacks of cherubs…that I find at antique shops or thrift stores. 🙂
HUGS!!! 🙂
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That’s a neat thing to collect! ❤
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A certain number of people might have passed by those without noticing, Yvonne. Thanks for sharing them. Wouldn’t you love to know the story of them? Or at least make one up.
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It’s probably easier to make up our own, Eli.
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And infinitely more fun, Yvonne.
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A wonderful collection and, as you say, must be the same artist. It’s good to know he made some sales.
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Now you’ve got me wondering how successful that artist was, Hilary. I suppose he may have worked for a business of some kind.
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One of them looks like he’s being strangled…
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They’re sure not cookie cutter images, are they? How’s spring going in your world?
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Coming along nicely as of today 😉 Snow on Wednesday was a bit of a shock. I was in the middle of explaining an exercise to a group and just went “IS THAT SNOW???” in the middle of my sentence haha!
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I hope they answered in English. 🙂
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Of course 🙂 When we all recovered from the shock!
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Memo to self, “Look up, look up”. I missed these when I was in Lucca and i was there twice! Thanks for bringing them to my attention.
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Well, I’ll bet you spotted lots of other interesting things, Mari.
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I agree that he is wearing a waiter’s apron and not a loin cloth. I just hope he doesn’t spill anything hot.
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Now, that conjures up an interesting scenario!
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Poor thing.
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A pedant writes: The putto with a ‘loin-cloth’ is surely sporting a waiter’s apron?
A fan writes: Gorgeous 2D images of 3D putti, demonstrating yet again that Venice is not just St Mark’s Square and cruise liners. Thank you 🙂
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Hi, calm one. They are very appealing little putti, aren’t they? And, yes, it is a (rather truncated) apron he is wearing.)
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The first cherub does not look happy,indeed .
I have the impression people keep the cherubs but the rest of the facade has changed
Love ❤
Michel
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Now, I hadn’t thought of that, Michel. If I ever get back to Lucca, I’ll have a much closer look. Love to you folks. ❤
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Reminded me of the dwarves of Wroclaw!
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Oh, they’d make good companions, wouldn’t they, Andrew.
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I was thinking I had never seen girl cherubs before and then I read Cynthia’s comment. Now that’s sorted, I like how they all seem to be busy.
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Yes, I was glad Cynthia explained the difference to us. I’ll never mistake my cherubs for putti again!
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That’s such a nice Australian expression, John.
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Lovely little vegemites.
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That’s such an appealing Australian expression, John.
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So did I do a ditto on myself?
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Could be, John!
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I like their chubby little knees.
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Aren’t they gorgeous?
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Interesting part of the world. Even the shop fronts are little works of art.
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Absolutely, Bun. I’m yearning to get back again.
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I am confused….I thought that the cherubim were sexless and had wings, because they were angels.. sometimes male. The putti, on the other hand, were human children, and I notice these examples could be said to be both male and female….their longer, standing bodies seem also slightly older, less babyish than the cherubim….I am confused….
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Then, I’ll bet these little cuties are putti, Cynthia.
Don’t be confused, just be misled by me! (And that reminds me of a co-worker who pronounced that as “mizzled.)
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Oh, I do love mizzled! The whole thing fizzled because I was mizzled…
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It’s known in my family that I’m never wrong but often misled.
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Having met you, I do believe your family has made an accurate analysis, Andrew.
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I enjoy the detail that you find along the way.
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Italy surely offers us plenty of them, Francesca.
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Its never too late to cherish a cherub.
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I heartily agree, Gerard.
I’ve started reading your book, by the way. 👍
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Very cute – and involved in all stages of grape production or distribution? 🙂
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So it seems, contented one. Next time I’m there, I hope I can find someone who knows a bit about their history.
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Bert has just identified the material as ‘maiolica’, thanks!
Read about it here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maiolica
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I will be there in Lucca on Tuesday so I will check these lovely little cherubs out
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Have a lovely time in Lucca, Lyn.
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