French, Troyes, circa 1520-1540

by repute Ivor Guest, Viscount Wimborne, London or Ashby St. Ledgers, until circa 1939;
Thomas F. Flannery, Jr., Chicago by 1980;
his sale, Sotheby's London, 1-2 December 1983, lot 88;
Ronald Lee, London;
private collection, Switzerland, 1984 to 2012;
its sale, Sotheby's London, 3 July 2012, lot 60

There is dirt and wear to the surface of the stone consistent with age. The handle and the body of the sword, the crouching figure's proper right arm, possibly segments of the wheel and parts of Catherine's proper left sleeve are lost. There are further smaller losses throughout, including to the drapery, headdress, book and to the crouching figure's hat and face. The majority of the polychromy is lost. Some sections of the sculpture may be have been carved separately or are restored, including Catherine's proper left hand and sleeve, the back of her headdress, the drapery around her arms, her proper left lower leg and areas of the crouching man. The stone/ restoration at the proper right wrist is stable but has flaked leaving lacunae. There are restorations to the book and bookcover.
"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."

This beautifully carved and rare St. Catherine is distinctive in its soft voluminous drapery folds and the inclusion of intricate details to the costume. The small dimpled mouth and almond shaped eyes are all characteristics found in sculpture originating from the Champagne region, in particular the Troyes workshops of the early sixteenth century. 

RELATED LITERATURE
J. Boccador, Statuaire Medievale en France de 1400 a 1530, vol. II, figs. 122-136; C. Avery, Sculpture from Troyes, cat. Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1984, plates 1-9