French or Italian, 14th century

Philippe de Gueldres (1464-1547)
Convent of Pont-à-Mousson from circa 1530
Cabaret de Pont-à-Mousson family from circa 1792 and thence by descent

Overall the condition of the ivory is very good. There are some minor chips and there is some minor wear consistent with age.
"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."

This finely and deeply carved ivory in three registers would most probably have been joined by other scenes from the lives of Christ and the Virgin in a larger scheme. An unusual stepped edge around the borders of the scenes suggests that the different relief panels would have been divided by a surrounding framework. The two lower registers are typical of Parisian iconography which developed in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries and spread across Europe as ivory carvers of the different regions copied the designs. Two early 14th century French reliefs combining the scenes of the Virgin and Child flanked by angels below the Coronation of the Virgin are in the Victoria and Albert Museum, illustrated by Koechlin. These both form the central panel of a triptych. A remarkable feature of the present ivory is the inclusion of an Imago Pietatis within a multi-lobate triangular border, surmounting the relief. The Imago Pietatis was a typically Italian motif, both in painting and sculpture throughout the thirteenth to sixteenth centuries and frequently crowned altarpieces and retables (see Scultura lignea for later examples in wood).  Whilst it is extremely difficult to separate and define the different regional styles in ivory carving of the fourteenth century, a north Italian origin can be suggested for the present relief.

RELATED LITERATURE
A. Dell'Oca and C. Salsi, ed., Legni sacri e preziosi: Scultura lignea in Valtellina e Valchiavenna tra Gotico e Rinascinato, exh. cat. Museo valtellinese di storia e arte, 2005, no. 28, p. 128; R. Koechlin, Les Ivories Gothiques Françaises, Paris, 1924, nos. 171 & 186, pp. 75 & 80-81