A South Netherlandish polychrome painted wood and gold thread embroidered fabric processional Madonna, 'Our Lady of Halle' early 19th century

with associated red velvet, silver embroidered and ermine cloak, with carved wooden barren, together with a brass processional lantern on ebonised wooden holder, 18th century

Ean Begg, Die unheilige Jungfrau. Das Rätsel der Schwarzen Madonna. Bad Münstereifel 1989.
Jacques Huynen, L'énigme des vierges noires, Chartres 1994.
Brigitte Romankiewicz, Die schwarze Madonna. Hintergründe einer Symbolgestalt, Düsseldorf 2004.

In overall good condition with some minor dents, marks, scratches and paintlosses to the wooden parts. Minor traces of old woodworing. The wooden construction of the Madonna partly altered. Three fingers to her proper right hand restored. Orb in the Christ child's hand reattached and gilding probably refreshed. Few stones to the Madonna's crown missing. Both dresses slightly yellowed and stained, small damages and losses to the applications. The Madonna's cloak with some wear to the red velvet, as visible in the catalogue photo, small damages and losses to the applications, slightly dirty. The carved wooden barren with small losses to the polychromy, traces of woodworming and related losses to the carvings. Lantern with holder (circa 240cm. long.): In overall good condition. Three of the greenish glasspanels broken (some parts available). Some minor dents, marks, scratches, smaller losses and minor warping to the brass parts. The wooden holder with some minor scratching and paintlosses.
"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."

The 'Black Madonna of Halle', Brabant, relates to a 16th century legend. During the times of the religious wars between Protestants and Catholics, the iconoclasts, intending to destroy the Madonna at the local church, laid siege to the town. In 1580 the deciding battle took place. An overwhelming Protestant army started bombarding the town with canon balls. According to the legend, the Virgin Mary herself appeared on the city walls and intercepted the fiery balls in her lap. The gunpowder turned her face and hands black. The grateful population brought hundreds of canon balls that had landed inside the city walls to Our Lady, piling them under her bell tower. About thirty of those are still kept in the church.