English, Nottingham, second half 15th century

Overall the condition of the alabaster is good, with minor dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. The top left corner is lost. The back has been strengthened by a conservator and mounts have been inserted. The far left Magus has lost his proper right arm and part of his proper left hand. The seated Magus has lost part of his proper right hand and attribute. There are losses to Joseph's staff and proper left hand. There are losses to the ground on the left side. There are remnants of original polychromy. There are a few small chips, including to the crowns and the right Magus's proper left little finger. There is a possible loss to the attribute in his proper left hand. There are further chips to the donkey's ears, and the proper left ear of the right donkey is lost. There are losses to the canopy. There is a drilled hole at the centre of the relief at the top. There is a slightly open vein or possible restored break running across the bottom quarter of the relief.
"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."

Nottingham, in the English Midlands, was the principal centre of production of alabasters in England from the 13th through to the 16th centuries, although they were also worked in Burton-on-Trent, Chellaston, York, and even as far south as London. The widespread distribution of Nottingham alabasters throughout Europe confirms that they were carved both for the domestic market, but also for export. Their transport to the Continent appears to have its roots in the cloth trade, one of the engines of the medieval English economy, with alabasters recorded as having been exported from the mercantile ports of Boston, Hull, Lynn, Southampton, Poole, and Bristol. Their popularity across Europe may at least in part be attributed to the widespread English diaspora. Some of the earliest recorded Nottingham altarpieces are those in Iceland, where many of the Bishops were from the British Isles. The 1463 inventory for the church of Hítardalur records 'a fine retable, large with alabaster' and there are several examples still in Iceland (Cheetham, 1984, op. cit).

The present panel is a particularly fine example which retains its gold background with lacunae for lost gilt gesso pastilles, seen also in the exceptional Compans Retable, sold in these rooms on 6 July 2016, lot 2, for £221,000. The composition is very close to the relief of the Adoration from the Bossom collection, sold in these rooms on 2 July 2013, lot 60, for £52,500, as well as another in the Victoria and Albert Museum (inv. no. A89-1919).

RELATED LITERATURE
F. Cheetham, English Medieval Alabaster: With a catalogue of the collection in the Victoria and Albert Museum, Oxford, pp. 185-186, nos. 112-113; F. Cheetham, Alabaster Images of Medieval England, Woodbridge, 2003, pp. 83-87; R. Marks and P. Williamson, Gothic Art for England 1400-1547, exh. cat. Victoria and Albert Museum, London, pp. 390-396, nos. 275-283