German, Cologne, mid-14th century

with an old Sotheby's label to the underside printed and inscribed: SOTHEBY'S Lot No 53 Am 829

Sotheby's Amsterdam, 27 November 2001, lot 53

Overall the condition of the wood is good with dirt and wear consistent with age. There is some splitting consistent with the material, including to the bottom of the group at the front and back. Both the Virgin's and Child's proper right hands and proper right lower arms are lost, and there are losses to Christ's proper left hand. There are further losses to the integral base and the throne. There are smaller losses to the coronet, and losses to the original polychromy throughout. There are a few small losses to the edges of the drapery and to the Virgin's headdress. There is particular wear to the tops of the drapes at the front. There are three mount holes to the reverse, one with a metal insert, and three holes to the underside. There is a small hole to the top of the Virgin's head. There is wear to the silk-lined 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. 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."

The present Madonna and Child can be related to various sculptures with the same composition in the Schnütgen Museum in Cologne and the Suermondt-Ludwig Museum in Aachen. One group in Aachen, once in the Moest collection, in particular shows the same characteristic pose. Both Madonnas wear a girdled dress with soft parallel folds that slightly accentuate the S-shape movement of the body. Another enthroned Madonna, published as being in the collection of the Bishop of Aachen and dated to circa 1330-1340 (op.cit. Grimme 1968), wears a similar high collared dress.

RELATED LITERATURE
E.G. Grimme (ed.), 'Große Kunst aus tausend Jahren. Kirchenschätze aus dem Bistum Aachen', Aachener Kunstblätter, 1968, p. 65, no. 134, fig. 165; E.G. Grimme, Europäische Bildwerke vom Mittelalter zum Barock, Köln, 1977, p. 16, no. 9, fig. 8