- 73
Ignaz Günther (1725-1775), German, Bavaria, circa 1753
Estimate
12,000 - 18,000 GBP
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Description
- pair of angels from a house altar
- polychromed limewood
- Ignaz Günther (1725-1775), German, Bavaria, circa 1753
Provenance
Galerie Siegfried Kuhnke, Munich, 1993-94
private collection, Munich
Literature
G.P. Woeckel, Die Handzeichnungen des kurfürstlich bayerischen Hofbildhauers Franz Ignaz Günther (1725-1775), Weissenhorn, 1975, pp. 206-7, ill. 145-46; 38. Deutsche Kunst und Antiquitätenmesse, cat. Haus der Kunst, Munich, 1993, p. 86
Condition
Overall the condition of the angels is good. There is some wear and dirt to the surface consistent with age. There are some losses to the paint at the high paints, particularly on the reverse. Both arms and wings were carved seperately and reattached. There are losses to some of the fingers of both angels.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
This finely carved pair of angels probably once adorned an intricate house altar. Woeckel (op.cit.) attributes them to one of the main representatives of South German and Austrian Rococo, Ignaz Günther. The slender, elongated bodies, the loosely worn, heavy drapery and large, individually expressed feathers are all characterestic of the work of this master. That Günther often carved angels of this type is clear from many of his life-size works: one is the subject of the famous Guardian angel group in Munich's Bürgersaal and another pair flanks the impressive high altar by Günther in Rott am Inn. However, the present angels seem to be the only ones on this intimate scale. We do know that Günther worked on this scale: a drawing for a small expositorium of the Holy Hart survives in the Münchner Stadtmuseum (inv. no. 1199). It happens to incorporate a pair of angels holding up a crown which relate closely to the present two.
RELATED LITERATURE
G.P. Woeckel, Die Handzeichnungen des kurfürstlich bayerischen Hofbildhauers Franz Ignaz Günther (1725-1775), Weissenhorn, 1975, pp. 201-208, 297 and 398, nos. 21-22 and figs. 233 and 316
RELATED LITERATURE
G.P. Woeckel, Die Handzeichnungen des kurfürstlich bayerischen Hofbildhauers Franz Ignaz Günther (1725-1775), Weissenhorn, 1975, pp. 201-208, 297 and 398, nos. 21-22 and figs. 233 and 316