North German, probably Lübeck, circa 1500

the panel with a woman breastfeeding with an old white label to the reverse inscribed: 15054/1 2/3 and with further illegible inscriptions

Poor Clare Convent, Otley Hall, Ellesmere, Shropshire,
their sale, Sotheby's London , 22 December 1960, lot 47,
Ader, Tajan, Picard Paris, 27 November 2002, lot 253

Brussels, Société Générale de Banque, Les sculptures medievales allemands dans les collections belges, 1977, no. 75

R. Didier and H. Krohm, Les sculptures medievales allemands dans les collections belges, exhib. cat. Société Générale de Banque, Brussels, 1977, no. 75
'The Heilige Sippe', Country Life, 12 June, 1958, p. 1301

Overall the condition of the wood is good with minor dirt and wear to the surfaces consistent with age. A few elements, such as some of the hands, are carved separately. There is stable splitting to the wood consistent with material, including a large split to bottom of panel (3) running from the base through the lamb. There are a number of small holes to the sides and bases of the groups, and a few metal nails. There are metal mounts to the reverses and some traces of glue. Some very minor evidence of worming in one or two places. Please note the following additional comments specific to each panel: (1) Panel with an altar: There are a few small losses to the left figure's hat. There is a lacuna to each side of the panel. There are a few plugs. (2) Panel with a woman breastfeeding: There is relatively prominent splitting to the woman's face, hat and body. The lower left figure has lost their proper right hand. The top left figure's fingers on their proper right hand are either carved separately or are replaced. The back of the upper right figure's head is carved separately. There is a large original lacuna behind the woman's head to the right and a smaller one to the right of her lower drapes. (3) Panel with two mothers with children: The top left figure has lost their fingers on their proper right hand. There is knotting to the book held by the left mother and child group and there is a slight loss to the book. The right child has lost his proper left hand and there is a plug to the face. The fingers of the right mother's proper left hand are replaced. There is a possible loss to the mother's robes (proper left side).
"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 three groups are sections from a major retable representing the Holy Kinship, or the lineage of Mary and St Anne. This iconography became popular in the 15^th and 16^th centuries, as the cult of the Virgin gained prominence in Europe.

In the exhibition Les sculptures medievales allemandes dans les collections belges (op.cit.) it was suggested that the retable originated in Lübeck due to the existence of similarly arranged retables from the circle of Martin Radeleff. Stylistic similarities between the present relief and the work of the Master of Osnabrück confirm that the carving is from the hand of a North German carver. The ovoid heads, pursed lips and almond-shaped eyes with heavy semi-spherical lids compare closely to a figure of St. Ursula in the St. Johannkirche in Osnabrück and a Virgin and Child in the Münster Landesmuseum (op.cit. Manske, nos. 2 and 59a). The slim body type and flattened curls of the children are close to the latter group too. The high cheekbones of the male faces, the corkscrew curls and the manner in which the locks flare outward from the neck are also common features in carvings by the Osnabrück Master. See, for example, the St. Andrew in Belm and The beheading of St. John the Baptist in the St. Johann (Manske, nos. 10 and 101).

When the present groups appeared in Country Life in 1958 and at Sotheby’s on 22^nd December 1960, it was part of an ensemble of four groups attached to 19^th century ogee-shaped backgrounds. The fourth group with the Virgin and Child was sold in these rooms on 8 December 2009, lot 38.

RELATED LITERATURE
H-J. Manske, Der Meister von Osnabrueck. Osnabruecker Plastik um 1500, Osnabrück, 1978