Italian School

The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com , an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. This double sided processional cross has been restored in a way to both preserve the age of the piece and at the same time reveal the quality of the figures in the painted area of the cross on one side. The reverse is almost completely unrestored and shows some very noticeable wear to much of the image. The swan feeding her chicks at the top of the cross on the reverse is the only area which is lightly restored and in good condition. On the front, the carving and gilding seems to be original with few restorations, and for the most part it is un-restored. In the painted areas of Christ and the Saints, the restoration is more focused and there are delicate and small retouches addressing some paint loss and thinness. It is true that this side of the cross is in better condition than the other side, but by the same token it has received retouches which eliminate much of the thinness and paint loss that is to be expected from a work of this period.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."