Attributed to Passchier Borreman (active first half 16th century) Southern Netherlandish, Brussels, early 16th century

signed: PAESCHIER . BORRE [...] to the sword, and inscribed: R 1023 / auu(?) and: H.S.159. in ink to the reverse

Overall the condition of the wood is good, with minor dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. The lower blade of the sword, St Paul's little finger on the proper left hand, and the proper left side bar of the hilt of the sword are lost. There are a few small chips, including to the carved border of the drapery around the proper right arm. Minor evidence of past worming is visible, notably at the back and to the saint's proper right sleeve. There is a shallow hole to the top of the head at the back. The figure is carved in two sections, and a slightly open but stable joint is visible along both sides of the figure and to the top of the head. The sword is carved separately and a very small restored break is visible. There is a hole to the bottom edge of the base on the saint's proper right side. There is a 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."

This wonderful statuette shows extremely virtuoso carving, particularly in the intricate folds of drapery, the careful undercutting, and the genuine expression on the bearded face. Significantly, it is signed on the sword by Passchier Borreman, a member of the Borreman dynasty of wood sculptors active in Brussels in the late 15th and early 16th century. The figure certainly adheres to Borreman's type, with its broad face and complicated folds of drapery: compare, for example, to the faces of the men around the Virgin's death bed in the Life of the Virgin altarpiece in the Victoria and Albert Museum (inv. no. 1049-1855, op. cit. no. 19), which has traditionally been linked with Passchier's work. Further comparisons can be drawn with Passchier Borreman's altarpiece in the St Waldetrudis church in Herenthal, Belgium, which is also signed, and where a few of the figures show similar bordering on the drapery as the present figure. 

RELATED LITERATURE
K. Woods, Five Netherlandish Carved Altar-Pieces in England and the Brussels School of Carving c.1470-1520, Burlington Magazine, December 1996, pp. 788-800; P. Williamson, Netherlandish Sculpture 1450-1550, London 2002, no. 19; K. Woods, Imported Images, Netherlandish Late Gothic Sculpture in England c. 1400-1550, Donington 2007, pp. 22-33, 104-5

The present lot is offered with a Radiocarbon dating measurement report (ref. no. RCD-8813) prepared by J. Walker of RCD Lockinge, which states that the wood dates between 1310 and 1440 (with 95% confidence interval)