Netherlandish, probably Antwerp, circa 1540

Overall the condition of the wood is good, with some wear and dirt to the surface consistent with age. There are various minor losses due to past worming, in particular to the proper right side of the composition; this includes the woman's proper right leg and the standing boy. Many of the worm holes have been filled. It is likely that the sculpture was once polychromed and that the polychromy has been removed. There is some minor stable splitting to the wood consistent with the material. There appears to be a loss to the woman's headdress on the proper left side, and there are losses to three of the fingers of the seated boy's proper left hand. A section of the woman's proper right hand and boy's shoulder, and two sections of the base at the front are carved separately and were probably added later. There is also a slightly loose wood plug beside the woman's proper right foot. There is a modern metal mount and a modern metal hook to the reverse.
"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 elegantly elongated, almost Mannerist forms of this group, and the woman's headdress, relate to sculpture from Antwerp around 1540; compare a relief with the Circumcision in the Musées Royaux d'Art et d'Histoire, Brussels. Its worldly subject is indicative of a Renaissance environment.

RELATED LITERATURE
A. Huysmans, La Sculpture des Pays-Bas méridionaux et de la Principauté de Liège. XVe et XVIe siècles, cat. Musée royaux d'Art et d'Histoire, Brussels, p. 178, no. 94