French, 12th/13th century

on a modern black metal mount

There is some dirt, wear and weathering consistent with age and material. There are some minor traces of pigment. There is a drill hole from a former mount visible at the underside and there is a cement addition to the back of the relief.
"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 foliage and birds in the present relief gracefully blend together into a pattern reminiscent of elaborate medieval book illustrations. Even though the sculpture was once a border of a larger whole, probably a representation of the Tree of Knowledge, the quality of the carving and attractive composition yield a work of art in itself.  The iconography of the present relief compares well with the the serpent in the Tree of Knowledge inspiring evil desire in Eve and Adam in Caedmon's Pentateuch (Oxford, Bodleian, MS. Junius XI, fol 20).  Birds picking grapes have been part of the iconography of the visual arts since Antiquity and were especially prevalent in the Middle Ages due to the grape's Christian connotations.

RELATED LITERATURE
V.-H. Debidour, Le bestiaire sculpté en France, Paris, 1916; H. Swarzenski, Monuments of Romanesque Art. The art of Church Treasures in North-Western Europe, Chicago, 1967, nos. 47-48, fig. 105-106