North German, circa 1500

Poor Clare Convent, Otley Hall, Ellesmere, Shropshire;
Sotheby's London, 22 December 1960, lot 47

Les sculptures medievales allemands dans les collections belges, Société Générale de Banque, Brussels, October-November 1977, no. 75

'The Heilige Sippe', Country Life, June 12, 1958, p. 1301

Overall the condition of the wood is good. There is some minor wear and dirt to the surface consistent with age. Part of the thumb of the proper left hind of Christ is lost. The proper right arm of Christ and fingers of the proper right hand of Mary are reattached. The proper left hand of the male on the right is replaced.
"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 large group is the central section from a major retable representing the  Heilige Sippe, or the lineage of Mary. The iconography became popular in the 15^th and 16^th centuries, as the cult of the Virgin gained prominence in Europe.

When the group was exhibited in Les sculptures medievales allemandes dans les collections belges (1977) it was suggested that the group originated in Lübeck due to the existence of similarly arranged retables from the circle of Martin Radeleff. Stylistic similarities between the present relief and the work of the Master of Osnabrück confirm that the carving is from the hand of a North German carver. The ovoid heads, pursed lips and almond-shaped eyes with heavy semi-spherical lids compare closely to a figure of  St. Ursula in the St. Johannkirche in Osnabrück and a Virgin and Child in the Münster Landesmuseum (Manske, nos. 2 and 59a). The slim body type and flattened curls of the Christ Child are close to the latter group too. The high cheekbones of the male faces, the corkscrew curls and the manner in which the locks flare outward from the neck are also common features in carvings by the Osnabrück Master such as the St. Andrew in Belm and The beheading of St. John the Baptist in the St. Johann (Manske, nos. 10 and 101).

When the present group appeared in Country Life in 1958 and at Sotheby's on 22 December 1960, it was part of an ensemble of four groups attached to 19th century ogee-shaped backgrounds. The four reliefs were apparently separated prior to 1977 when the full retable appeared in the Brussels exhibition catalogue as belonging to several owners. The three other sections were sold as lot 253 on 27 November 2002 at Tajan in Paris.

RELATED LITERATURE
H-J. Manske, Der Meister von Osnabrueck. Osnabruecker Plastik um 1500, Osnabrück, 1978