Two English alabaster reliefs from a series of the Joys of the Virgin, 15th century, Nottingham

Leon Schinasi, New York, December 1926

Both with wear and surface abrasions to high points such as fingers, eyes and noses. Both with small losses and chipping on edges throughout. With some restorations. Remains of original polychromy. Each cut along the bottom (and slightly reduced). Annunciation: Some small chips or divets have been restored such as two small circular losses on far left hand figure's sleeve and horizontal loss near waist of God on upper left hand corner. Few small cracks including one on handle of vase below. Presentation: Broken and repaired (only visible on reverse). Some further losses including some fingers, foot of king on lower right side, to faces (restored) and ears of beasts below, parts of hands of upper right hand king, part of child's hand, crack through upper right hand figure. Otherwise minor chipping and some old restorations.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The relief panels for altarpieces and retables produced at Nottingham from the late 14th to the early 16th centuries are among the great achievements of late Medieval English art.  The present two panels probably once formed part of an altarpiece depicting the Joys of the Virgin like the one purchased from Lord Swansea's collection at Singleton Abbey in 1919, known as the Swansea Altarpiece, now in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London (A.89:1 to 8, 10 to 15-1919).  Depicting the first two episodes from the series, the Annunciation and the Adoration of the Magi, these conform to the designs of the corresponding panels in the Swansea Altarpiece.  The panel depicting the Annunciation is Cheetham's type D (Cheetham 1984, p. 162, cat. 97).  According to him there are only ten complete examples of altarpieces of Joys of the Virgin known, including the Swansea Altarpiece.  Though individual panels are more numerous, it is rare to find two such as the present pair with original polychromy, which apparently come from the same original setting.

RELATED LITERATURE

F. Cheetham, English Medieval Alabasters, Oxford, 1984
F. Cheetham, Alabaster Images of Medieval England, Woodbridge, 2003