Lot 7
  • 7

GERMAN, LATE 14TH CENTURY, | Elements from a diptych with scenes from the Life of Christ

Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 EUR
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Description

  • Elements from a diptych with scenes from the Life of Christ 
  • elephant ivory; in a wood and velvet modern frame
  • left leaf: 12.3 x 10.5 cm, 4 7/8   x 4 1/8   in.; right leaf: 12.3 x 5.6 cm, 4 7/8   x 2 1/4  in.
each leaf divided into two registers and each scene separated by a twisted column and surmounted by a triple trefoil arch; the scenes include from the bottom left: the Entry into Jerusalem, Last Supper, Garden of Gethsemane, Kiss of Judas, Crucifixion and Last Jugment

Provenance

Karl Ludwig Maria, Fürst Fugger von Babenhausen, Fuggerhaus, Augsburg, before 1892;
private collection, Germany.

Literature

F. Höfle, Museum Fuggerianum. 50 Tableaux der in dem Besitze Seiner Durchlaucht des Fürsten Karl Ludwig Maria Fugger-Babenhausen sich befindenden Schätze. Alterthümer, Kostbarkeiten und kunstgewerbliche Gegenstände, so in dem altberühmten Fuggerhaus in Augsburg aufbewahrt sind, Augsburg, 1892. RELATED LITERATURE
R. H. Randell, Masterpieces of ivory from the Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore, 1985, pp. 230-231, no. 341.

Condition

Print The ivory is in two sections, two scenes from the left side of the right panel are lost. There may be a few smaller losses, including to some of the hands and sleeves of a few of the figures. On the reverse of the left section slots for a joint or hinges remain. A small peg is slotted into the right side. There is some stable hairline splitting consistent with the material. Otherwise the condition is good with minor dirt and wear consistent with age.
"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

The left register of the right-hand leaf with the Resurrection and the Washing of Christ's feet was probably damaged and cut out after the illustration for F. Höfle photographic survey of the Museum Fuggerianum was produced, in 1892 (op. cit.).

An ivory wax tablet in the Walters Art Gallery includes similarly composed scenes of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane and Kiss of Judas, divided by nearly identical columns (inv. no. 71.192). Even though attributed to a Flemish workshop, this wax tablet seems closer to German ivory reliefs, such as the so called Ulpha diptych, formerly in the Dormeuil collection, depicting the Passion of Christ and sold by Sotheby's Paris, 19 November 2007, lot 11 (sold €41.000).