Circle of Tilman Riemenschneider (c. 1460-1531) German, Franconia, circa 1510

Paul Kestner, Château de Heidwiller, Alsace, before 1904;
by descent to Jeanne Burckhardt-Kestner, 1936;
and thence by family descent

Both hands and wrists, the proper left foot, and a section of the drapery at the bottom on the proper left side are lost. There are a few further losses, including to a fold of drapery at the front on the proper left side. There are holes and minor losses due to past worming throughout, including the face. There are a few chips and abrasions to some of the high points, including the hair and edges of the drapery. There is an area with some plaster fill and a metal insert to the proper left shoulder at the back. Otherwise the condition is stable, with dirt and wear to the surface. There is a plastic fitting glued to the back, and there is a metal dowel at the bottom which screws into the base of the stand. The wood wall mount is in good condition with some wear and a few minor chips around the edges.
"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."

Compare Riemenschneider's figure of St Sebastian in Gabolshausen (op. cit., p. 294, no. 59) and his Saint John in the Mainfränkisches Museum, Würzburg (inv. no. S. 32 906).

RELATED LITERATURE
Tilman Riemenschneider: Werke seiner Glaubenswelt, exh. cat. Museum am Dom, Würzburg, 2004