Lot 19
  • 19

SPANISH, PROBABLY CASTILE, LATE 13TH/ EARLY 14TH CENTURY | Corpus Christi

Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 GBP
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Description

  • Corpus Christi
  • polychromed wood, on a later wood cross
  • corpus: 176cm., 69 1/4 in. cross: 216 by 165cm., 81 1/8  by 65in.
  • Spanish, probably Castile, late 13th/ early 14th century

Provenance

Distinguished private European collection, since circa 1960

Condition

There is dirt and wear to the wood, consistent with age. The polychromy has probably been refreshed over the life of the sculpture.The arms are carved separately and the joints are visible. There are fissures and losses to the paint and underlying gesso layer at these points. There are some possible restorations here. The paint is a little unstable in this region. There is stable splitting to the wood, consistent with the material, in particular splits running via Christ's proper left ear and at the neck, and at the abdomen and through the middle of the perizonium. There are also some stable splits at the feet. A small section of Christ's crown at the centre is carved separately. It is probable that there were three or four pinnacles to the crown, which are now lost. Christ's proper left index finger is lost. There are various losses to the polychromy throughout. There are also some whitish residues at Christ's head, arms and shoulders. There are losses to the polychromy at Christ's feet and gesso is visible here. There is minor craquelure to the polychromy throughout and some of the paint is flaking a little. There is non-active worming to the wood, in particular to the reverse and to the crucifix. There are metal nails at the hands and feet. The crucifix is probably later. There is wear and splitting to the wood, consistent with the material.
"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

This impressive life-size corpus features a long, flowing perizonium tied on the proper right hip, crossed feet held together by a single nail, and a sculpted stomach with nearly geometrical shapes forming the stomach and ribs. Christ's facial features seem at peace, his curly locks tumbling down his shoulders. All of these details conform to a type of crucifixes identified by Clementina-Julia Ara Gil (op. cit. p. 70; 74-77). She describes these as Type 2 crucifixes with 'Byzantine' anatomy and where the appearance of a royal crown persists. As the most numerous group within the surviving corpus of works, she lists several examples, mostly dating to the late 13th century. Compare in particular plate XXVI no 3, where the Christ figure can be seen to have originally worn a crown, and plate XXVII no. 2 where Christ has similar curls and a beard which parts in two strands. Due to the slight 'S' curve of Christ's body, the long perizonium, and the elaborate crowns on these corpora, Ara Gil proposes the possibility that these crucifixes were influenced by the Limoges enamel corpora of the 13th century.  RELATED LITERATURE
C. J. Ara Gil, Escultura Gotica en Valladolid y su Provincia, Valladolid, 1977