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Summer and Winter – Pair of Cast Iron Garden Statues. Tuscany, late 19th century
Two graceful cast iron female figures representing Summer and Winter, in keeping with the classical iconography of the seasons. One carries a bundle of wheat, the other a stack of firewood. Simple allegories that speak of natural cycles—of abundance and rest, warmth and harvest.
They come from the garden of a late 19th-century Tuscan villa and still bear the visible traces of time: a worn patina, slight oxidation, and all the solidity of cast iron, chosen precisely for its ability to withstand the elements over the years.
They likely belonged to a complete set of the Four Seasons, as was common in the gardens of distinguished homes. Back then, it wasn’t only the interiors that mattered: the outdoors, too, was a reflection of the household. A well-tended garden, thoughtfully adorned with statues, fountains, and carefully chosen plants, spoke of good taste, stability, and a sense of pride.
These two figures, now surviving the rest of the group, still embody all of this. With grace—and with the enduring strength of things made to last.
- Material: Lacquered Cast Iron
- Condition: Restored
- Period: Fine '800
- State: Good conditions
