Possibly North European, 14th/15th century

representing a nude man seated on a small stool, with a finger to his lips and holding a club or foliage

Overall the condition of the stone is good. There is some wear and dirt to the surface consistent with age and handling. There is a chip to the lower edge on the proper left side and a chip to the front corner on the right. The underside was excavated and there is a drilled hole in the head.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This mysterious object seems to relate to ivory chessmen of the Middle Ages. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore possesses a Scandinavian rook with a comparable pose and very simiilar facial features (inv. no. 71.1157). The ring-and-dot decorations are often employed in gaming pieces -see for example three English circular gaming pieces in the Victoria and Albert Museum (inv. nos. A.20 to A.22-1942)- but are also commonplace in early art from outside Europe.

RELATED LITERATURE
R. H. Randall, Jr. (ed.), Masterpieces of ivory from the Walters Art Gallery, London, 1985, pp. 176-77, no. 529; P. Williamson, Medieval ivory carvings. Early Christian to Romanesque, cat. Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 2010, p. 416, no. 105