Italian, Venice or Florence, early 15th century

Overall the condition of the triptych is good with dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. There are several losses, including: to the wood and bone inlay at the pointed tops of the three sections; to the bone and certosina wood borders around the hinges and some of the corners; to the bottom left corner of the panel on the right of the central section; to the wood and horn borders at the top of the base; and to the painted gesso fill at the base. There is a probably later bone insert to the central bone panel above the Virgin's head. There is wear to the bone carvings, in particular the faces, consistent with age and handling. There is also wear to the paint in the architectural carvings. There is a lacuna to the left of the Virgin's head, and there is some stable splitting to the bone, consistent with the material, notably to the panel to the right of the central section. There appears to be glue residue and a possible restoration to the inner edge of this panel near the bottom. The hinges are slightly loose and may possibly have been replaced. There is minor evidence of past worming, including to the certosina wood border on the right of the central section and to the back, where there is a vertical loss at the bottom. There is some naturally occurring stable splitting to the wood, which is particularly visible at the back. There is wear to the polychromy on the shutters and several nicks and scratches to the wood. There is particular wear where the hook for closing has rubbed against the wood. There are remnants of an old paper label to the back, and there is a metal mount for hanging at the top on the reverse.
"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."

For similar triptychs see examples in the Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore (inv. no. 71.98) and the Kunstgewerbemuseum, Berlin (inv. no. F. 2403). The latter is dated by Tomasi (op. cit., p. 407, fig. 30) to the first quarter of the 15th century.

RELATED LITERATURE
M. Tomasi, Monumenti d'avorio: I dossali degli Embriachi e i loro committenti, Pisa and Paris, 2010