Netherlandish, 17th century

the white marble stoop inscribed: MENTEM NON FRONTEM ('In Mind Not Appearances') and the black marble roundel inscribed: EFFUNDAM SUPER VOS AQUAM MUNDAM, ET MUNDABIMINI AB OMNIBUS INQUINAMENTIS VESTRIS EZECHIELIS 36. ('Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you' Ezekiel 36:25)

Overall the condition of the marble is good with minor dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. The bottom central finial and right tassle of the white marble plaque are restored. There are a few small losses to the white marble, including to the edges of the shell and to the tips of the skull's wreath. There is minor naturally occurring veining, including to the inscription plaque and a slightly open vein to the lower left corner. There is a stable hairline fissure in the black marble visible to the front running through the centre. There is a further scratch/ fissure to the top of the plaque. These appear unlikely to be breaks. There is a metal mount at the back. There is wear to the gilding throughout and a few chips to the edges of the black marble.
"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 holy water stoop can be compared to 17th-century Dutch funerary plaques, which combine white and black marble (or touchstone) with inscriptions. Compare, for example, with Rombout Verhulst's Epitaph for Hendrik Thibaut, Isabella Porrenaer and Jacoba Thibaut in Aagtekerke, sculpted in 1669 (Scholten, op. cit. p. 42, no. 33).

RELATED LITERATURE
F. Scholten, Sumptuous Memories. Studies in seventeenth-century Dutch tomb sculpture, Zwolle, 2003, p. 42, no. 33