Circle of Taddeo di Bartolo

In the possession of the family of the current owners since at least 1938. 

The following condition report has been provided by Karen Thomas of Thomas Art Conservation LLC., 336 West 37th Street, Suite 830, New York, NY 10018, 212-564-4024, info@thomasartconservation.com, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. This pair of saints is in sound condition overall, the Saint Paul panel being the better preserved of the two. Restoration, much of it recognizable by its discoloration, addresses cracks, wear along the edges of cracks, and rubbing in the faces, with further toning in the garments. In the depiction of Saint Anthony Abbot, an overall degree of thinning is visible and the contours in the face and hands have been reinforced. A fair amount of abrasion is found in the gold ground of both pictures, with restoration executed in both gold leaf and paint. The paintings are coated with a low-gloss varnish. Each panel retains its original thickness with tool marks visible on the reverse. The upper peaks of the arched tops have been trimmed off and the top corners squared with wood inserts; a portion of the pastiglia and punched gold has been removed in a horizontal band across each panel's top few inches. Both panels display a lateral convex warp.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."