- 101
Central Italian School, circa 1400
Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 GBP
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Description
- A triptych: central panel: Madonna and Child and saints; wings: Annunciation, Crucifixion and saints
- oil and gold ground on poplar, in an integral frame, the reverse with a red wax seal bearing the arms of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, and of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine
the madonna and child on a throne surrounded by St. Catherine and St. Lucy with below Saints Bernard, John the Evangelist and two others Right wing: Saints including Barnaba and the Virgin Annunciate
Provenance
Probably acquired by William Schomberg Robert Kerr, 8th Marquess of Lothian (1832–1870) in Florence, 1860-61;
Thence by descent.
Thence by descent.
Literature
Probably Newbattle Abbey inventory, May 1878, no. 573 ('14th century Italian; c. 12 x 6 in. closed');
Probably Monteviot House inventory, 14 July 1989, no. 573 (East Bedroom 2).
Probably Monteviot House inventory, 14 July 1989, no. 573 (East Bedroom 2).
Condition
The panels of the triptych all appear original but the frame and its carved ornament have been much more recently re-gilded and re-painted. The paint surface is in very moderate condition having been substantially restored and repainted on several occasions, with much evidence of old flaking wear and damage throughout. Of the figures, only the heads of saints John the Baptist and Anthony Abbot in the right wing and the red cloaked saint in in the central panel have survived in tact. The whole is covered with glossy opaque varnish.
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"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
Although some parts of the panel do appear genuinely original, notably the heads of Saint John the Baptist and Saint Anthony Abbot in the centre of the right wing, as well as the saint in red, lower right of the central panel, much of the remainder has been extensively re-painted.
An entry in the Newbattle Abbey inventory, May 1878, no. 573 is described as '14th century Italian', of considerably smaller dimensions ('c. 12 x 6 in. closed'), but in the Monteviot inventory, 14 July 1989, the description of the same item matches the present painting. Notwithstanding this degree of confusion, it seems most likely that such a work would have been acquired by William Schomberg Robert Kerr, 8th Marquess of Lothian, during his time in Italy, when the majority of the early gold grounds were added to the collection.