South German, mid-16th century

with two old paper collection labels to the reverse respectively inscribed in black ink: 18/3. and: D.P.P.

Overall the condition of the wood is good. There is some wear and dirt to the surface consistent with age. There is some stable, naturally occurring splitting to the surface, including splits to the right of the angel and at the feet of Eve. The foliage at the top of the tree was carved separately and joined. There are a few minor losses, including to the angel's proper right wing and drapery to the right of the proper right leg, the foliage at the top of the trunk and around the top right corner, the proper left hand of Adam and the foliage at the lower right corner. Eve's proper left breast was restored. There are inserts to Adam's proper right shoulder and forearm and to the toes of Eve's proper left foot, which are probably original.
"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 landscape in this fine relief is similarly conceived to those represented in Hans Daucher's works. Compare, for example, with his Charles V on Horseback (circa 1520) in the Tiroler Landesmuseum Ferdinandeum (Chipps-Smith, op. cit., p. 339). The stylised clouds, Eve's thick wavy hair and the elaborate foliage, nonetheless suggest a date later in the century. Such characteristics are evident in a stone relief by Hans Morinck (c. 1555-1616) in the Badisches Landesmuseum, Karlsruhe (inv. no. I. N. C3247).

RELATED LITERATURE
Dürers Verwandlung in der Skulptur zwischen Renaissance und Barock, exh. cat Liebieghaus, Frankfurt am Main, 1981, pp. 275-276, no. 176; J. Chipps Smith, German Sculpture of the Late Renaissance c. 1520-1580, Princeton, 1994, p. 339