South Netherlandish, late 17th/ early 18th century

Overall the condition of the wood is good with dirt and wear to the surface throughout consistent with age. There is minor stable splitting to the wood throughout. Joints are visible on both eagles where the wings attach to the body, and to the legs and talons of the left eagle. There is particular splitting to the back of the left sphere which runs along the back left talon. There is a loss to the tip of the beak of the left eagle. There are minor chips to the wood and the polychromy throughout exposing the blue ground. The polychromy has probably been refreshed.
"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."

These impressive eagles would have once comprised a pair of lecterns in a church, such as the early 18th-century example in Sint-Pieterskerk, Turnhout, Flanders. The thick claws and the heavily feathered wings are very close to those seen on a Netherlandish late 17th-/ early 18th-century walnut lectern which was offered in these rooms on 31 October 2007, lot 235.