German, Swabia, circa 1500

with an old paper label to the reverse

on loan to Museum Schnütgen, Cologne, September 2009 to December 2012

Overall the condition is good with dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. The left male has lost his proper right hand. The right male has lost his proper right hand and arm. The Virgin has lost her proper left hand and there are losses to the fingers of her right hand. There are a few losses to the drapery and to the left side. There is stable splitting consistent with the material, including a large split at the centre of the Virgin's drapery and another to the back on the right side (visible from the front on the extreme left side). There is wear and flaking to the polychromy and some areas of paint have been refreshed, including the eyes. There is some non-active worming. There are a few holes to the back and and a new support is attached to the underside.
"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."

Carvings of the Coronation of the Virgin were a regular feature on South German altarpieces and often followed the compositional scheme of the present sculpture. A number of comparable groups originate from Bayerisch-Schwaben, a part of Swabia that lies in modern Bavaria, suggesting that the prototype was an important altarpiece in that region. Compare to another example formerly in the collection of Dr. Richard Oertel (Neumeister Munich, 5 November 1979, lot 22) and one in the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum, Munich (inv. no. MA 1312).

RELATED LITERATURE
T. Müller, Die Bildwerke in Holz, Ton und Stein von der Mitte des XV. bis gegen Mitte des XVI. Jahrhunderts, cat. Bayerischen Nationalmuseums, Munich, 1959, pp.178-180, no. 177