South German or Austrian, 13th century

private collection, Bavaria

Overall the condition of the wood is good, with wear and dirt to the surface consistent with age. The figure is carved in sections; a few joints are slightly visible, including to both shoulders and to the proper left upper arm. The hair and the crown of thorns are later additions. The polychromy has been refreshed throughout and is partially restored. There is some wear to the polychromy, including minor flaking in the face. There is an overpainted vertical section with fill to the proper right side of the face. There appear to be further areas with fill, including to the arms. There are some losses to the thorns of the crown. There are few chips to the edges. There is some evidence of past worming, notably to the top of the head, the abdomen and the legs. There are a few holes to the section between the feet. The wood cross is composed in sections; some of the joints are slightly open but stable. There are gaps between the insets of the crossbeam. There are holes for mounting to both arms and the bottom of the cross, and there is wear to the paint, in particular at the edges. There are a few chips along the edges of the cross.
"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 present Corpus is distinguished by its simplified, elongated forms as well as an almost stoic facial expression. A similar positioning of the legs, with slightly bent knees, is found in Swabian corpora, such as that from Dettenhausen, now at the Württembergisches Landesmuseum, Stuttgart (inv. no. 129-343). The use of limewood, however, suggests an origin in the German or Austrian Alps. A group of 12th-century bronze corpora from Southern Germany exhibit similarly long perizonia with a single central band (Bloch, op. cit., nos I D5 and I D6), while the head, with elongated features and a benign expression, compares well to that of a wood crucifix from the Pustertal, Tirol (Tiroler Landesmuseum, op. cit., no. 2). The naturalistic waves of hair, which lend the present Corpus a Gothic air, were added later.

RELATED LITERATURE
Gotik in Tirol, exh. cat. Tiroler Landesmuseum, Innsbruck, 1950; Christus im Leiden. Kruzifixe, exh. cat. Württembergisches Landesmuseum, Stuttgart, 1985; P. Bloch, Romanische Bronzekruzifixe, Berlin, 1992