French, circa 1350

Schulz collection, United States
with Sam Fogg, London, 2010
private collection, London

Gothic Ivories Project. Statuette, band of rosettes (decor de roses) (Side), available at: http://www.gothicivories.courtauld.ac.uk/images/ivory/b6ef5a1e_eafc008d.html. [Accessed 18 May 2013]

Overall the condition of the ivory is good with some wear and dirt to the surface consistent with age. The separately carved base is restored on the proper right side. There is stable hairline splitting to the ivory consistent with the material. There are a few slightly open splits, including to the Virgin's proper right sleeve. Christ's head may be reattached and there is a small hole to the proper left side of his chest (this may be the tip of the root canal). There is yellowing to the reverse of the ivory and to the bottom of the base. There are one or two very small chips to the drapery and to the back of the throne.
"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."

This ivory statuette is noteworthy for the tenderness of the embrace of the Virgin and Child and the finesse of the details. The Madonna is represented seated here on a throne with a rosette frieze. She wears a veil that flows in undulating folds down both sides of her head. Her mantle is draped over her shoulders and falls in a soft M-pattern over her knees, which lean slightly to her left side. She looks down and lifts the Christ Child, who is balanced by a foot on each of His mother's legs, as He pulls himself closer to her.

The rubbing to the heads of both figures indicates that this was an object meant for private devotion. Like a talisman, it would have been rubbed or kissed when divine intervention was most needed. 

Another small ivory with the enthroned Virgin and Child in a very similar embrace was sold at Sotheby's New York on 29 January 1999 (lot 42) and is now in the Thomson Collection at the Art Gallery of Ontario (see Lowden/ Cherry, op.cit., no. 17).

RELATED LITERATURE
J. Lowden and J. Cherry, Medieval ivories and works of art, cat. Thomson Collection, Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, 2008, pp. 54-55, no. 17