German, Upper Swabian, circa 1530

carved in low relief

These reliefs are finely carved but appear to have been forshortened. There are traces of old worm damage. S.Catherine: The tip of her nose idf missing as well as both little fingers. There is a verticual fissures to the wood from her proper left shoulder to her wrist (just visible in the catalogue photograph.) St.Barbara: some losses to the edge pf her drapery and, the base of the chalice and her hair
"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."

Each saint holds her attribute: St Barbara, a chalice and St Alexandra, the sword.  Considerable attention has been taken in the rendition of their robes and hair with the inclusion of slashed sleeves and hair falling in skilfully undercut, thin tendrils . St Barbara bears a pendant around her neck carved with an alpha, a symbol of Christianity.

Extremely flat reliefs such as these were normally attached to the folding wings of large altarpieces.  Compare the treatment to the drapery with its stylised folds to that used in the allegorical reliefs in the Bollert Collection in the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum Munich attributed to Upper Swabia circa 1530. Note also the influence of the Master of Ottobeuren in particular the panels of Joseph sold into Egypt and Aristotle and Phyllis of circa 1520-30 in the Bayerisches National Museum  and illustrated by Baxandall.

RELATED LITERATURE
L. Hansmann, Amulett und Talisman, Munich 1977, fig 419; M. Baxandall, The limewood sculptors of Renaissance Germany (London, 1980) pl. 88, 89; R. Eikelmann, Die Sammlung Bollert, Die Sammlung aus Gotik und Renaissance Bayerisches Nationalmuseum (Munich, 2005) no. 14