Attributed to Johann Joachim Gunther (1717-1789) South German, mid 18th century

a pair of limewood angels, carved in relief with eyes downcast

Overall the angels are in good condition with some wear consistent with age. There are some minor splits to the wood including splits in both faces and some minor worming throughout. Left-hand angel: There is restoration to the proper right hand and lower arm. The left leg is lost and there is some wear to the toes of the right foot and to the drapery. Right-hand angel: There is restoration to the fingers of the proper right hand. The right leg is lost and some wear to the drapery.
"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."

Johann Joachim Günther was the younger brother of the fresco painter Matthäus Günther and nephew of the sculptor Ignaz Lengelacher Günther.  After his apprenticeship he worked, apart from a short interval in Vienna, in Bruchsal. His employment there started in 1752 and in 1755 Prince-Bishop Franz Christoph von Hutten appointed him court sculptor. Johann Joachim Günther was clearly influenced by Johann Michael II Feuchtmayr and Paul Egell who worked with him for the court of Bruchsal. Very few of the official works for Bruchsal survived but what he did is quite thoroughly listed in Rott's book on the Bruchsal archives.  Among his first orders were stucco works for the corps de logis of Castle Bruchsal and angel sculptures for one of the fountains, both now destroyed as well as other sculpture for the garden. In addition he carried out commissions for  the churches in Bruchsal and its surroundings in cluding the Maria Immaculata and St. Sebastian for St. Peter in Bruchsal in 1755, altar of the parish church in Otterstadt/Palatine1766, pulpit of the church in Waghäusel 1768-69,  two angels holding candles, 1783, in the Liebfrauenkirche in Bruchsal.

RELATED LITERATURE
Rott, Bruchsal, "Zeitschrift für Geschichte und Architektur", Beiheft 11, 1914; Barock in Baden-Württemberg: vom Ende des 30jährigen Krieges bis zur französischen Revolution, ex.cat Schloß Bruchsal, 27. June-25. October 1981