Madre della Consolazione, Veneto-Cretan, late 16th century

depicted half-length on a gold ground, wearing a blue tunic and a purple maphorion, a transparent white veil draped over her hair, the tunic and mantle of Christ and the mantle of the Mother of God decorated with various gold line motifs, Christ holding a gold globe in one hand and making a sign of blessing with the other, the back of the panel painted with the cross and symbols of the Passion of Christ

A vertical crack running from the top to the bottom of the panel. Some restoration and repainting, especially along the crack. Wear to the gold background and a spot of restoration in the mantle of Mother of God. Some damage along the borders of the icon.
"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 iconography of the Madre della Consolazione type has clearly been influenced by Italian prototypes.  The icon's Italian title refers to the suffering of Christ, as anticipated by his mother. The Madre della Consolazione, nearly always painted by Cretan icon painters in a late Gothic style, became very popular in the 16^th and 17^th centuries, with icons of this type exported to Mount Athos, Patmos, Rhodes, Jerusalem, Sinai and even Flanders.