South German, dated 1589

the silvered and gilt bronze group of the Virgin and Child on stepped base and column, the stepped base with gilt silver appliques of the four evangelists, each inscribed with his name and a quotation from each gospel below, inscription around the lowest rim of the stepped base reading DIXIT AD MARIAM AVE MARIA GRATIA PLENA DOMINUS TECUM BENEDICTA TV INTER MVLIERES ET BENEDICTVS FRVCTVS VENTRIS TVI IESUS CHRISTUS LVCAE I ET RESPONDIT MARIA: ECCE ANCILLA DOMINI FIAT MIHI SECVNDVM  VERBVM TVVM and dated: . 15.89 . , the lower section of the column base with scenes of Adam and Eve, the upper part of the column base applied with silver figures of the apostles, their names inscribed below, lower column with two figures of the Resurrected Christ inscribed below DATA EST MIHI OMNES POTESTAS IN COELO ET IN TERRA . MATT . XXVIII, the column with three inlaid stones, a corinthian column above, embellished with some later pastes 

This intriguing devotional representation appears to be all of the same date and yet stylistically the figure of the Virgin and Child is earlier and echoes groups dating to the late fifteenth century and of South German origin. It possibly commemorates an earlier group in the church or chapel for which it was intended as the ensemble does not appear to be a marriage.