French, Picardy, circa 1500-1510

Overall the condition of the wood is good with wear and some dirt to the surface consistent with age. The sculpture would originally have been polychromed, and it is likely that the polychromy was removed. There are a few remnants of polychromy, including to the middle figure's dress. There is stable splitting throughout consistent with the material, particularly at the legs of the figure on the right and to the same figure's back, where there are also losses. The middle figure's proper left arm and proper right forearm are lost. There is a naturally occurring knot in the wood to the left of the back, and another at the right edge of the back with some wax residue. There are a few chips and minor losses, including to the bottom edges and to the right hand figure's proper right arm and hat,; some losses are probably due to non-active worming. There are two holes to the back. Two corks are inserted into holes at the underside to stabilise the sculpture on a flat surface.
"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 tightly wound strings of curls, pronounced eyelids, the regularly patterned fringes of the drapery, and proportioning that harks back to earlier Burgundian sculpture seem to characterise a taste for retable sculpture in the South Netherlandish manner that dominated in Picardy around 1500.

RELATED LITERATURE
P. Béguerie-De Paepe (ed.), La sculpture Picarde à Abbeville vers 1500 autour du retable de Thuison, Tournai, 2001, pp. 109-111, no. 31; M. van Vlierden (ed.), Hout- en steensculptuur van Museum Catharijneconvent ca. 1200-1600, Zwolle/ Utrecht, 2004, pp. 470-471