Attributed to Matthias Kolb South German, Munich, mid-18th century

Overall the condition of the ivory is good with minor dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. A section of the back of the head is carved separately and the joint is visible. There is a small hole to the top of the head possibly to mount the now lost halo. There is some veining to the ivory consistent with material to the chest, abdomen and back. The proper right arm is separately carved and the joint is visible. The figure may be reattached to the base and the section of the lion's tail is reattached. Two sections of the base are carved separately and the joint is visible. There are a few small holes to the wood. There is minor splitting to the wood consistent with age. There is a small lacuna to the wood in the Saint's upper body drapery to the back, and there may be a small loss to the right tip of the tree trunk.
"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 group compares closely with the work of Matthias Kolb, who was one of the most talented students of the celebrated ivory carver to the Bavarian court, Simon Troger (1693-1768). The ground with stippled surface and the chartaceous drapery, which clings to Jerome's limbs, compare closely with the figure of a beggar reading by Kolb in the Grünes Gewölbe, Dresden (inv. no. II 213). The face, with pensive expression and prominent nose, is similar to a figure of Zeus in the Reiner Winkler collection (Theuerkauff, op. cit., pp. 66-7, no. 30).

Ivory and wood combination groups were highly coveted in princely and aristocratic circles in the early 18th century. Connoisseurs enjoyed the inherent irony of using precious materials to represent often humble subjects. The present figure is a particularly well carved and preserved example.

RELATED LITERATURE
C. Theuerkauff, Elfenbein. Sammlung Reiner Winkler, Munich, 1984, pp. 66-7, no. 30; E. von Philippovich, 'Kombinationsfiguren aus Elfenbein und Holz', Kunst in Hessen und am Mittelrhein, vol. 17, 1997, pp. 27-35; D. Syndram, Die Barocke Schatzkammer. Das Grüne Gewolbe zu Dresden, Dresden, 2006, p. 80; S. Defrin, 'Recognizing the Hand of Simon Troger (1683-1768)', R. Marth and M. Trusted (eds.), Sculpture Studies in Honour of Christian Theuerkauff, Munich, 2012, pp. 178-84