- 17
German, probably Ulm, circa 1500
Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 GBP
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Description
- bust of a scholar
- limewood, on an integral base with remnants of polychromy
Condition
Overall the condition of the wood is good. There is wear and dirt to the surface consistent with age with several minor scratches. There is worming throughout, particularly to the top of the head and underside. There is some minor stable splitting consistent with material including down the centre of the mantle and one coming down the proper right temple. Parts of the surface are covered with a brown pigment including in the neck, to the forehead and at the chest. There are toolmarks throughout. There are inserts to either side of the bust: on the proper right side it constitutes the side of the base and part of the shoulder on the left the side of the base. The paint on the base only remains within the ridges.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
The naturalism and pronounced drooping eyelids remind one of such Ulm sculptors as Jörg Syrlin the Elder. A male bust of similar dimensions by Syrlin is in the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum in Munich (inv. no. MA4082) while the Metropolitan Museum of Art included a comparable reliquary bust of St. Vitus which is also associated with the Syrlin school in their exhibition Medieval Art from private collections (op.cit.).
RELATED LITERATURE
T. Müller, Die Bildwerke in Holz, Ton und Stein vond der Mitte des XV. bis gegen Mitte des XVI. Jahrhunderts, cat. Bayerischen Nationalmuseums, Munich, 1959, p. 99, no. 83; C. Gómez-Moreno, Medieval Art from private collections, exh. cat. The Cloisters, New York, 1968, no. 63
RELATED LITERATURE
T. Müller, Die Bildwerke in Holz, Ton und Stein vond der Mitte des XV. bis gegen Mitte des XVI. Jahrhunderts, cat. Bayerischen Nationalmuseums, Munich, 1959, p. 99, no. 83; C. Gómez-Moreno, Medieval Art from private collections, exh. cat. The Cloisters, New York, 1968, no. 63