An Italian painted and gilt wood figure of Mary Magdalene, circle of the Master of Trognano, late 15th century, Lombardy

the base punched with S.M.MAGDALENA.

Chipping of paint and continued flaking. Losses throughout, particularly around the bottom edge of drapery. Rubbing to polychromy and bole. Age cracks. Some worming throughout. Consolidation and restoration throughout. Restorations include: her head, particularly hair above her forehead and back of head; her proper right hand part of the drapery along the proper right side and some to proper left area. Some areas of refreshed paint losses and worming throughout base.
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 Master of Trognano is the name given to the unknown carver of the Adoration of the Shepherds today in the Pinacoteca Malaspina, Pavia.  Reliefs of the Passion by the same hand originated in Santa Mareia del Monte at Varese; by process of elimination from a list of carvers that worked on commissions for that church, Raffaele Casciaro has tentatively identified the artist as Bartolomeo da Como (Casciaro 2001, op. cit.).  The soft round face, heavy almond-shaped lids, cinched vertical folds of the inner garment, and fluid folds of outer drapery are analagous especially to the relief of the Madonna and Child with two angels attributed to the Master of Trognano sold in these rooms January 26, 2007, lot 272.

RELATED LITERATURE

R. Casciaro, La scultura lignea lombarda del Rinascimento, Milan, 2000
R. Casciaro, "Master of Trognano", in Masterpieces of Renaissance Art: Eight Rediscoveries, Salander O'Reilly Galleries, New York, 2001, pp. 78-86