Statue, Engelbewaarder - 18e eeuw - 79 cm - Walnut

Guardian angel, presumably an altar piece.
This exceptionally characterful hand-carved wooden devotional image shows an angel or young saint.
According to historical tradition, this object originated directly from the famous Abbey of Villers (Villers-la-Ville), Belgium.
The abbey experienced a great Baroque flowering in the 18th century, after which the monastery was looted in 1796 during the French Revolution.
The abbey's properties came into private hands.
Evidence is the label on the back from the late 19th to early 20th century.
The woodworm damage occurred long ago and is no longer active.
Coming from a very old collection; the rest was auctioned at Christie’s in the 1970s.
Belgium private possession.