German, Swabia, circa 1490

Sotheby´s London, 8 July 1981, lot 310;
on loan to Museum Schnütgen, Cologne, September 2009 to December 2012

Overall the condition of the wood is good with minor dirt and wear consistent with age. There are losses to the dragon's wings. The raised arm is separately carved and is reattached, and the hand is also reattached at the wrist. The saint's proper right leg is also carved separately and is possibly reattached; a stable open joint is visible to the dragon's proper left wrist. There are some restorations to the base, visible to the underside. There is stable splitting consistent with the material, including to the base and back. There is minor non-active worming, in particular to the reverse. There are slight losses to the back, as well as a few holes and small metal pin. There are also a few holes to the underside. The reverse is numbered in white paint: 1.
"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."

An important source for sculptures of armoured saints such as St. George, St. Florian and St. Michael in 15th-century Swabia were three knights on a fountain in the city centre of Ulm known as the Fischkasten, or fish box. The name refers to its location near the medieval fish market and it is the oldest preserved fountain in Ulm.  It is thought to have been a collaboration between the workshops of Jörg Syrlin the Elder (c. 1425-1491) and Michel Erhart (c. 1440-1522). The type of armour, with a rounded sallet and high bevor, and the forward placement of the foot of the three knights on the fountain compare well to the present statuette, as does the thick cape draped over the figure's shoulders.

RELATED LITERATURE
B. Rommé, ‘Der Ulmer Fischkasten. Eine weitere Kooperation der beide Syrlins mit Michel Erhart’, Michel Erhart und Jörg Syrlin d. Ä. Spätgotik in Ulm, exh. cat. Ulmer Museum, Ulm, 2002, pp. 180-193