A decorative head, usually infantile, emerging from or flanked by wings; common in Renaissance and Baroque Catholic ornament but distinct from the biblical Cherubim.
A winged cherub head is the familiar infant head set between or emerging from wings, often surrounded by clouds, rays, foliage, or architectural ornament. It became extremely common in Renaissance and Baroque Catholic decoration.
The motif is historically related to the Western decorative assimilation of putti and angelic imagery and should not be confused with the fearsome multi-form Cherubim of biblical vision.
Etymology
Modern descriptive term; cherub derives from Hebrew keruv.
Sculptor Notes
The head and wings should be designed as one mass. The wing roots can widen the skull silhouette and transition naturally into cloud or foliage. A pasted-on pair of flat wings produces exactly the mechanical effect strong Baroque carving avoids.
References
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/191176; https://www.vatican.va/content/catechism/en/part_one/section_two/chapter_one/article_1/paragraph_5_heaven_and_earth.html