French, late 14th century

Paul Blanchet Collection, sold Paris, 1913 at Imprimerie Georges Petit

There is wear to the surface consistent with handling and age. Of the shorter angel, the tips of the wings are missing, the joint of the wings is slightly loose and the left hand is missing. There is some dryness to the surface of both angels particularly under the arms and around the back of the neck.
"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."

These angels would originally have supported a reliquary holder. Analogous reliquaries are recorded in church treasury inventories as early as the late thirteenth century when the style first became popular. Compare with the reliquary exhibited in the L'art du temp des rois maudits catalogue as well as with the angel monstrance in Tongeren illustrated by Grimme. 

RELATED LITERATURE
L'art au temps des rois maudits: Philippe le Bel et ses fils, 1285-1328, exh. cat. Galeries nationales du Grand Palais, Paris 1998, fig. 122; E.G. Grimme, 'Die Tongerer Engelsmonstranz' in Festschrift für Peter Bloch, Mainz 1990, p. 93, fig. 2