The Veiled Bride

Created in the late nineteenth or early twentieth century by an Italian
workshop, this sculpture reprises the model of The Bride, derived from the
veiled figures popularised by Raffaelle Monti. The young woman’s face
disappears beneath a veil held in place by a wreath of flowers, probably
orange blossoms, traditionally associated with marriage. Vertical folds
descend across the forehead and features before continuing around the
neck, creating the illusion of translucent fabric.

The work is carved from ivory- and honey-toned calcite onyx, a material
prized for its translucency, veining and natural variations. The block was
first roughly shaped, then carved with chisels, a claw chisel and drill; the
flowers were deeply undercut, while meticulous polishing reveals the
luminosity of the stone.