Southern German, Franconia or Swabia, circa 1480-1490

Sotheby's London, 9 December 1987, lot 228

It is likely that a former layer of polychromy has been removed, and a varnish was subsequently applied to the surface. Both lower arms are lost. Otherwise the condition is good, with wear and some dirt to the surface consistent with age. There is some stable splitting to the wood, consistent with the material, notably to the chest, the drapery at the front, and to the face; some of the splits, including in the face, have been filled. There are slight openings with fill around the nose, and it is possible that it is recarved or reattached. There is some evidence of past worming which has led to minor losses in areas such as the hair and the proper left arm. There are a few further minor losses, including to the drapery around the bottom and to the terrasse. A section of the drapery on the proper left side appears to have been carved separately. There are a few later wood inserts to the edges of the drapery at the front. There is a hole at the bottom on the proper right side. There is a metal mount for hanging, and wooden dowel insert, at the back.
"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 svelte young Saint in armour relates to both Franconian and Swabian sculpture from the late 15th century. For the deep, crinkled folds of the cloak, surrounded by long swathes, compare a Saint Michael from Franconia in the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum, Munich (inv. no. MA 3712), while the undercut, horizontal curls of hair find a parallel in a Swabian Saint Mauritius in the Hessisches Landesmuseum, Darmstadt (inv. no. Pl 09:03).

RELATED LITERATURE
T. Müller, Die Bildwerke in Holz, Ton und Stein von der Mitte des XV. bis gegen Mitte des XVI. Jahrhunderts, cat. Bayerisches Nationalmuseum, Munich, 1959, no. 166; M. Woelk (ed.), Bildwerke vom 9. bis zum 16. Jahrhundert aus Stein, Holz und Ton im Hessischen Landesmuseum Darmstadt, Darmstadt, 1999, no. 55