Spanish, 14th century

Overall the condition of the wood is good with minor dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. The arms are lost. The statue may have been cut down from a full figure. There is non-active worming to the wood, in particular to the reverse. There are various losses to the polychromy throughout. There are losses to the hat at the front. There is minor stable splitting to the wood consistent with the material, in particular to the head. The paint at the back of the hat is lost. There are some losses to the drapery near the purse on the proper left side. There are some small losses to the ends of the beard. The gilding is probably later.
"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 form of this evocative St James recalls earlier late Romanesque Spanish sculpture such as the Mater Dolorosa from the 13th century in the Hispanic Society of America, published in B. I. Gilman, Catalogue of Sculpture (Thirteenth to Fifteenth Centuries), cat. Hispanic Society of America, New York, 1932, pp. 23-25

RELATED LITERATURE
C-J Ara Gil, Escultura Gotica en Valladolid y su provincia, Valladolid, 1977, pl. LXIX

The present lot is offered with a Radiocarbon dating measurement report (ref. no. RCD-8989) prepared by J. Walker of RCD Lockinge, dated September 2017, which states that the wood from the sample dates between AD 1207 and 1270 (95% confidence interval).