Southern Italian or Spanish, 12th century

inscribed: 23513 in blue ink

There is weathering to the stone throughout, consistent with age and placement outdoors. Consequently there are some losses to the carving, including the birds' beaks, and some stable hairline fissures to the stone, consistent with the material. There are chips around the edges and corners at the top and bottom, and there is a loss to the bottom edge. There are a few brownish encrustations. There is a shallow hole at the top, and another at the bottom.
"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."

RELATED LITERATURE
J. Poeschke, Die Skulptur des Mittelalters in Italien, Bd. 1: Romanik, Munich, 1998, p. 73; W. Cahn, Romanesque Sculpture in American Collections: II, Turnhout, 1999, pp. 94-95 and 103, nos. 7 and 56