Circle of Hans Leinberger (circa 1475-1531) German, Bavaria, circa 1520-1530

Overall the condition of the wood is good. There is wear and some dirt to the surface consistent with age. There is some minor worming to the surface consistent with material. The polychromy is largely lost. There are a few minor losses to the wood, including to the fingers of the proper right hand of the Child a lock of hair at His forehead. The staff has been reattached at the hand and where it connects with the drapery and the base. There are small patches of black pigment under the raised arm of Christ and to the inside of Saint Christopher's proper left leg, possibly indicating an area of restoration.
"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 St. Christopher is readily recognisable as a Bavarian late Gothic wood sculpture by the seemingly wet drapery that falls around the figure's body in strand-like folds. The fluttering swathes of cloth and locks of hair are equally typical of wood carving in the region. The forerunner of this style was Hans Leinberger, a sculptor from the Danube school who was active all over Altbayern in the early decades of the 16th century. His monumental St. Christopher in the Frauenkirche in Munich possibly served as an example for the present statuette.

RELATED LITERATURE
T. Müller, Die Bildwerke in Holz, Ton und Stein von der Mitte des XV. bis gegen der Mitte des XVI. Jahrhunderts, cat. Bayerischen Nationalmuseums, Munich, 1959, p. 260, nos. 270-271; F. Niehoff (ed.), Um Leinberger. Schüler und Zeitgenossen, exh. cat. Museen der Stadt Landshut, Landshut, 2007