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Period: 15th Century and Earlier
HELMET HEAD
Located in Milano, IT
Very rare wooden helmet-bearing head, datable between the 13th and 14th centuries, extraordinary evidence of medieval material culture. This object, carved with essential and primiti...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
PAIR OF ROMANESQUE MARBLE COLUMNS, Italy, 13th/14th Century
Located in Milan, IT
PAIR OF ROMANESQUE MARBLE COLUMNS
Italy, 13th/14th Century
marble
86 x 16 x 13 cm
33 3/4 x 6 1/4 x 5 in
Category
15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Ancient Roman Marble Altar Fragment with Cupid, Roman Empire, 2nd/3rd Century AD
Located in Milan, IT
Roman marble altar fragment with cupid
Provenance: Nicolas Koutoulakis (1910-1996), Paris and Geneva
Category
15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Kashan Terracotta Head of a Bearded Man, c. 1st-2nd Century AD
Located in Beachwood, OH
Kashan Terracotta Head of a Bearded Man, c. 1st-2nd Century AD
Terracotta head of a bearded man, with polychrome to the face, lips, and beard, mounted to wood stand.
5.5 in. h. x 3.7...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Pre-Columbian Colima Shaman terracotta figure vessel Mexican sculpture
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Seated Shaman
Colima culture
Mexico
ca. 300 BCE - 300 CE
Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Colima, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. A hollow-cast and highly-burnished terraco...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Veracruz Mexico Pre-Columbian ceramic Warrior figure sculpture
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Figure of a Chanting Warrior
Ceramic with bitumen highlights
300-600 CE (Classic Period)
Mexico, Veracruz, possibly Nopiloa
Veracruz Culture
Pre-Columbian, Mexico, Vera Cruz culture...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Men on a Horse Medieval Tile Gypsum Cast
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
Gypsum cast-medieval tile, inspired from Central Europe. Adjusted in a frame, ready to hang or install.
Category
Gothic 15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Gesso
Gothic Renaissance wooden sculpture: bust of a young Saint or Angel
Located in Norwich, GB
This young saint or angel has suffered over the centuries, but his spirit has not been broken - and miraculously, his beautiful face has remained intact. With a gentle face and an al...
Category
Gothic 15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Madonna and Child, Polychrome Stucco Relief, workshop of Luca della Robbia.
Located in Pistoia, IT
Madonna and Child, polychrome stucco relief, workshop of Luca della Robbia. Second half of the 15th century.
Modeled as half-length, the Child holds his mother's veil in one hand, th...
Category
Medieval 15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Other Medium
Medieval enthroned Virgin and Child Sedes Sapientiae acephalic granit sculpture
Located in Norwich, GB
They may be damaged and battered, but real historic objects will always give you a sense of awe. Can you sense it, looking at this ancient carved granite which depicts, as it is call...
Category
Medieval 15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Granite
A Lute Player Medieval Tile Gypsum Cast
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
Gypsum cast-medieval tile, inspired from Central Europe. Could be also adjusted in a frame, ready to hang or install ( price will be different).
Category
Gothic 15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Gesso
Romanesque Madonna - 1175/80
Located in Wien, Wien
ROMAN MADONNA
“Sedes Sapientiae”
Auvergne
Around 1175/80
Pine wood
Polychrome remains
Height 40 cm
This depiction of the Madonna is a masterfully carved, extremely early figure made...
Category
Gothic 15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Vierge en majesté assise romane. Sedes Sapientiae.
Located in PARIS, FR
Rare Vierge romane en majesté en pierre calcaire sculptée en très haut-relief. La Vierge tient l’Enfant entre ses deux genoux dans une parfaite frontalité, une caractéristique des pr...
Category
Medieval 15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Limestone
One on a chariot Medieval Tile Gypsum Cast
Located in Slovak Republic, SK
Gypsum cast - medieval tile, from Central Europe. Adjusted in a frame, ready to hang or install.
Category
Gothic 15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Gesso
Corpus Christi 1150/70
Located in Wien, Wien
Corpus Christi
around 1150/70
Southern France or Catalonia
carved oak wood
height 109 cm, width 96 cm
Remains of polychromy
Category
Gothic 15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
ANCIENT ROMAN BRONZE SCULPTURE FIGURE OF A ROMPING DOG
Located in Milan, IT
"Roman Bronze Figure Of A Romping Dog"
Roman Empire, circa 1st Century B.C.- 1st Century A.D.
Bronze
width 7 cm
width 2 3/4 in
Provenance:
Leo Mildenberg (1913-2001) Private Collection, Zurich, prior to 1986
American Private Collection, acquired in 1991
Literature:
A.P. Kozloff, et al., More Animals in Ancient Art...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
ANCIENT MONUMENTAL MARBLE LION FOUNTAIN HEAD ROMAN EMPIRE 1ST/2ND CENTURY AD
Located in Milan, IT
Large roman carved marble fountain head representing a lion
Rome, I-II Century AC
Bonham's London, 22 September 1998, lot 485; formerly in the pr...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
ANCIENT BRONZE HEAD OF AN ELEPHANT, ROMAN EMPIRE 2ND CENTURY AD
Located in Milan, IT
This beautiful cast bronze elephant head is a protome, which in ancient art was a decorative element consisting of a head - sometimes with part of the bust - of a human, animal, or f...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Corpus Christi
Located in Wien, Wien
MUSEUM CORPUS CHRISTI
Spain/Catalonia or Asturias
Around 1250
Corpus hardwood, arms softwood
Remains of the original polychrome setting
Height 109.5...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
ANCIENT ROMAN MARBLE RELIEF FRAGMENT
Located in Milan, IT
ANCIENT ROMAN MARBLE RELIEF FRAGMENT
Rome, 1st Century b.C.
marble
23 x 15 x 5 cm without base
9 x 6 x 2 in
Category
15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Indian Pink Sandstone Figure of a Deity, Central India, 11th/12th century
Located in SANTA FE, NM
Indian Pink Sandstone Torso of Brahma
Central India, ca. 11th/12th century
Pink Sandstone
22 inches, 25 inches on base
The Hindu deity Brahma c...
Category
Other Art Style 15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Sandstone
ANCIENT ROMAN BRONZE SCULPTURE FIGURE OF A ROMPING DOG
Located in Milan, IT
"Roman Bronze Figure Of A Romping Dog"
Roman Empire, circa 1st Century B.C.- 1st Century A.D.
Bronze
width 7 cm
width 2 3/4 in
Provenance:
Leo Mildenberg (1913-2001) Private Collection, Zurich, prior to 1986
American Private Collection, acquired in 1991
Literature:
A.P. Kozloff, et al., More Animals in Ancient Art...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
HELMET HEAD
Located in Milano, IT
Very rare wooden helmet-bearing head, datable between the 13th and 14th centuries, extraordinary evidence of medieval material culture. This object, carved with essential and primiti...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Ancient Roman Marble Altar Fragment with Cupid, Roman Empire, 2nd/3rd Century AD
Located in Milan, IT
Roman marble altar fragment with cupid
Provenance: Nicolas Koutoulakis (1910-1996), Paris and Geneva
Category
15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Vierge en majesté. Catalogne française - Maria Lactans
Located in PARIS, FR
Rare Vierge à l'Enfant en bois polychrome de tradition romane, région du Fenouillèdes, représentant une Virgo Lactans. Avant cette découverte, seules 3 vierges allaitantes médiévales...
Category
Gothic 15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Head of Avalokiteshvara, KHMER, Cambodia, Bayon Style
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A gray sandstone head of Avalokiteshvara, Khmer, Cambodia, Bayon Style from the 13th century. The artwork is unsigned. Provenance: Charles Craig, Privat...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Stone
Costa Rican pre-Columbian sculptural figure ca. 1000-1500
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Magnificent standing figure, Costa Rica, ca. 1000-1500. Carved volcanic stone. Measures 16.5 x 9 x 5.5 inches. Outstanding condition with no damage.
The figure represents a captured...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Stone
Sancai-Glazed Horse with Cut Fur Blanket
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A Chinese, Tang Dynasty, Sancai-glazed, three colors of brown, green and creamy, sculpture of a horse with a cut fur blanket. This Chinese, Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), glazed earthenw...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Earthenware, Glaze
Twelve limousine plaques depicting Saints, Apostles and Fathers of the Church
Located in Milano, IT
Extraordinary collection of 12 gilded copper plaques with glass paste eyes, originating in Limoges, France, and dating from the early 13th century. These fine plaques, each about six...
Category
French School 15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Copper
ANCIENT CYPRIOT LIMESTONE HEAD OF A VOTARY, ARCHAIC PERIOD LATE 6TH CENTURY
Located in Milan, IT
PROVENANCE
Louis de Clercq (1836-1901), Paris
Nicolas Koutoulakis (1910-1996), Paris and Geneva; thence by descent to the present owner
LITERATURE
A. de Rid...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Limestone
ANCIENT ROMAN ALABASTER BUST OF THE GOD SERAPIS, ROME CIRCA 1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.
Located in Milan, IT
Wearing a chiton with a himation draped at the left shoulder, and a modius on the crown of his head, the god's characteristic luxuriant wavy hair falling in ri...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Alabaster
Gallo-Roman Bronze Applique Bust Figure of a Man, 3rd/4th Century A.D.
Located in Milan, IT
PROVENANCE
Herbert A. Cahn (1915-2002), Kunst der Antike, Basel, 1988
Private Collection, Paris
Category
15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Gothic head of an apostle - 13th century
Located in PARIS, FR
Head of apostle or Christ in carved limestone. Elongated face with a large forehead and long hair with thick wavy locks on the sides.
The almond-shaped eyes are underlined by the hem...
Category
Gothic 15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Limestone
Apotropäische Teufelsfigur
Located in Wien, Wien
APOTROPAIC DEVIL FIGURE
Romansh
South Tyrol or Grisons
Around 1120/50
Carved pine wood
Original version
Height 151 cm
This singular figure is a demonic, devil-like figure carved fro...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Roman Empire Marble Bust
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare, Late Roman Empire (3rd to 5th centuries, C.E.), solid marble bust of a young man. Beautiful patina. Mounted on a later, Carrara marble base.
Category
15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
CRESCENT MOON MADONNA
Located in Wien, Wien
Master in the circle of Michael Pacher
(Mühlen ca. 1435 - 1498 Salzburg)
Salzburg
Around 1480
Carved limewood
Old polychrome version
Height 118 cm
This Madonna is an outstanding ex...
Category
Gothic 15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Polychrome Virgin of the Annunciation - Catalonia
Located in PARIS, FR
Large catalan Virgin of the Annunciation in polychrome wood. Our Virgin is represented in the phase of the Conturbatio, Mary expresses her amazement a...
Category
Gothic 15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Late 15th-century Old Master Burgundian Netherlands carved walnut figure
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Beautiful late 15th-century Burgundian Netherlandish portrait of a woman. Carved walnut. Original polychrome has been removed with traces at base and lower portions of figure. Minor ...
Category
Old Masters 15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Walnut
Sitting Madonna
Located in Wien, Wien
Sitting Madonna
Central Italy/Tuscany or Marche
Around 1420
Poplar wood carved
Original version
Height 31 cm
Charming Madonna sculpture from the heyday of the Soft or International...
Category
Gothic 15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Vierge romane en majesté. Bourgogne 12ème siecle.
Located in PARIS, FR
Grande vierge en majesté de l'époque romane en bois polychrome. Cette Vierge à l'enfant inédite s'inscrit dans le corpus des Vierges romanes de Bourgogne. Marie est assise sur un trô...
Category
Medieval 15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Ancient, Roman Marble Bust of a Boy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sensitively carved, solid marble bust of a young boy mounted on a custom, Lucite base. Carved fully in the round, though originally the figure was pa...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
JOSEPH WITH THE CHILD
Located in Wien, Wien
Upper Italy
2nd half 12th century
Maple
Original version
Height 67 cm
Category
15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
ANCIENT ROMAN MARBLE ALTAR FRAGMENT, 1ST/2ND CENTURY A.D.
Located in Milan, IT
Roman Marble Altar fragment from the 1st/2nd Century A.D. with the typical element of Roman rituals.
Provenance: Nicolas Koutoulakis (1910-1996), Paris...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Large romanesque sculpture depicting Saint Lucy. Northern Spain.
Located in PARIS, FR
Large romanesque statue of Saint Lucy of Syracuse is dated from the 12th century. The saint is represented veiled and diademed, she wears a long dress, with an important tie. Stone s...
Category
Medieval 15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Sandstone
ANCIENT ROMAN ALABASTER BUST OF THE GOD SERAPIS, ROME CIRCA 1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.
Located in Milan, IT
Wearing a chiton with a himation draped at the left shoulder, and a modius on the crown of his head, the god's characteristic luxuriant wavy hair falling in ri...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Alabaster
Catalan School of the 13th century. Wooden Bishop
Located in PARIS, FR
Catalan School of the 13th century. Bishop statue in polychrome wood.
Large polychrome wooden statue representing a holy bishop carrying a crosier and ma...
Category
Medieval 15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
ANCIENT ROMAN MARBLE RELIEF FRAGMENT
Located in Milan, IT
ANCIENT ROMAN MARBLE RELIEF FRAGMENT
Rome, 1st Century b.C.
marble
23 x 15 x 5 cm without base
9 x 6 x 2 in
Category
15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
ANCIENT ROMAN MARBLE ALTAR FRAGMENT, 1ST/2ND CENTURY A.D.
Located in Milan, IT
Roman Marble Altar fragment from the 1st/2nd Century A.D. with the typical element of Roman rituals.
Provenance: Nicolas Koutoulakis (1910-1996), Paris...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Twelve limousine plaques depicting Saints, Apostles and Fathers of the Church
Located in Milano, IT
Extraordinary collection of 12 gilded copper plaques with glass paste eyes, originating in Limoges, France, and dating from the early 13th century. These fine plaques, each about six...
Category
French School 15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Copper
Late 15th Century By Florentine School Madonna with Child Bas-relief
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Late 15th Century Florentine School
Madonna with Child Bas-relief
Pietra serena (a blue-gray sandstone) 85.5 x 60.5 cm
Provenance:
- via Stefano Bardini purchased in 1896 by
Prince ...
Category
Old Masters 15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Sandstone
Procession, China, Ming Dynasty
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A set of figurative sculptures, ceramic in greens and browns by an unknown Chinese artist. The piece is from the Ming Dynasty and is unsigned.
Category
Ming 15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
ITALIAN RENAISSANCE CAPITAL WITH MYTHOLOGICAL FIGURES, 15th Century
Located in Milan, IT
ITALIAN RENAISSANCE CAPITAL WITH MYTHOLOGICAL FIGURES, 15th Century
marble
H 18 x Diam 33.5 cm
H 7 x Diam 13 1/4 in
Category
15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
GROTESQUE MASK
Located in Milan, IT
GROTESQUE MASK
Italy, 15h Century
stone
30 x 31 x 20 cm
11 3/4 x 12 1/4 x 7 3/4 in
Category
15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Stone
Enthroned Madonna and Child.
Located in PARIS, FR
Large Virgin and Child in carved wood, carved back. Sitting on a throne bench, Mary carries Christ seated on her left knee. The Virgin has a face with stylized features with semicircular eyebrow arches, almond-shaped eyes with protruding eyeballs. Marie is wearing a belted dress with a simple neckline and a coat with a flap that goes back to the front. Tiny traces of polychromy.
Romanesque influences are still present. With her protruding eyes, she can also be compared to the statuary of Lake Constance. Our Virgin, rare for its size, nevertheless presents strong analogies with the Italian Sedes Sapientiae...
Category
Medieval 15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Sancai-Glazed Official
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A Sancai, tri color glazed pottery figure of a Tang Dynasty official. Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD).
Category
Other Art Style 15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Gandharan Frieze with Scenes from the Life of Buddha
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A schist stone carving from 2nd/3rd Century Gandhara depicting scenes from the life of Buddha.
Provenance:
Spink and Sons LTD, 1985.
Category
Other Art Style 15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Stone
ANCIENT RARE BRONZE FIGURE OF DIONYSOS (BACCHUS) ROMAN EMPIRE 1ST CENTURY AD
Located in Milan, IT
This bronze sculpture is an exquisitely detailed representation of the god Dionysos, whose cult was one of the most popular in ancient times. Here, the god is nude, with a mantle that gently lies on his right leg. He is holding a bunch of grapes with his left hand, and a rhyton (drinking horn) with the right. The god is youthful and joyfully gazes forwards, with a crown of ivy leaves set upon his long flowing hair.
These features clearly resemble those of the life-size Roman marble sculpture of Dionysos exhibited at the British Museum, acc. no. 1861,0725.2 .
This statuette was probably part of a larger composition and used as a decorative element applied to a piece of furniture. Its finely wrought details, as well as the attractive olive-green patina led to its inclusion in the collection of the Fitchburg Art Museum for thirty years.
PROVENANCE
English Private Collection (Sotheby’s, London 17-18 July 1985, Lot 204)
Royal Athena...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Vierge en majesté mosane. Sedes Sapientiae.
Located in PARIS, FR
Grande Vierge à l'Enfant en chêne de la fin du 13ème siècle ou début du 14ème siècle. La plastique des visages et du Christ évoque le 13ème siècle (le visage de la Vierge évoque le visage de la Sedes Sapientiae...
Category
Gothic 15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
ANCIENT ROMAN MARBLE RELIEF OF A MALE TORSO, ROME, 2ND/3RD CENTURY AD
Located in Milan, IT
This muscular male torso probably comes from a larger relief, which would have decorated the front part of a sarcophagus. It likely represents the figure of a satyr, standing, with t...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
ANCIENT BRONZE HEAD OF AN ELEPHANT, ROMAN EMPIRE 2ND CENTURY AD
Located in Milan, IT
This beautiful cast bronze elephant head is a protome, which in ancient art was a decorative element consisting of a head - sometimes with part of the bust - of a human, animal, or f...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Sedes Sapientiae
Located in Wien, Wien
Sedes Sapientiae
Pustertal um 1220/30
Weichholz/Lindenholz(?)geschnitzt
Reste von originaler Polychromie
Höhe 57 cm
Category
15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Limestone Relief With Saint Georges, France 15th Century
Located in Milan, IT
Relief with saint Georges
France, 15th Century
limestone 26 x 20 cm (10 1/4 x 7 3/4 in) without base
Category
15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Limestone
GROTESQUE MASK
Located in Milan, IT
GROTESQUE MASK
Italy, 15h Century
stone
30 x 31 x 20 cm
11 3/4 x 12 1/4 x 7 3/4 in
Category
15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Stone
14th-century Gothic gargoyle in limestone
Located in Milano, IT
Fascinating limestone gargouille (or gargoyle) from the region of Avignon, France, dating from the 14th century. A rare and striking hand-carved piece that perfectly embodies the med...
Category
French School 15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Stone
ANCIENT MONUMENTAL MARBLE LION FOUNTAIN HEAD ROMAN EMPIRE 1ST/2ND CENTURY AD
Located in Milan, IT
Large roman carved marble fountain head representing a lion
Rome, I-II Century AC
Bonham's London, 22 September 1998, lot 485; formerly in the pr...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
PAIR OF ROMANESQUE MARBLE COLUMNS, Italy, 13th/14th Century
Located in Milan, IT
PAIR OF ROMANESQUE MARBLE COLUMNS
Italy, 13th/14th Century
marble
86 x 16 x 13 cm
33 3/4 x 6 1/4 x 5 in
Category
15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Large Romanesque Cistercian marble capital. Northern Italy.
Located in PARIS, FR
Large romanesque capital with water leaf in red Verona marble. This type of capital is typical of 12th century Cistercian abbeys and represents a tr...
Category
Medieval 15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Standing Engel
Located in Wien, Wien
Standing angel with banner
Flemish
Around 1450/60
Sandstone
60 x 21 x 15 cm
This museum figurine shows a standing angel with a banner in his right hand and a small box in his left. The youthful, ageless figure wears a coat held together with a triangular, floral brooch in front of the chest over a long robe. The angel’s gaze is directed forward, his head tilted slightly to the left. The elongated face is sculpted: the large almond-shaped eyes with accentuated upper and lower eyelids are alertly open and sharp eyebrows lead directly into the root of the nose. The straight nose above the pronounced mouth completes the idealized oval face of the angel and his calm, internalized facial expression. What is particularly remarkable, however, is the magnificent curls, which are only partially tamed by a simple headband. As if puffed up by the wind, the hair, which is sometimes streaked in parallel, sometimes wildly twisted and richly curled, stands out dynamically from the ears. The tilted head with these sideways protruding waves of hair thus conveys an immediate impression of movement. The physicality of the sculpture is expressed particularly through this organic, lifelike movement of the loosened hair.
The lively overall impression of the figure is further enhanced by the multiple rolled banners that the angel presents to the viewer. The outstretched palm of the right hand appears both intimate and confidential as well as mystically revealing. This banderole winds in gentle curves in front of the figure’s body, throws a fold over the second attribute in the angel’s left hand and falls downwards in a loose manner. The volute-shaped rolled up end of the banner clearly shows the fine texture of the banner and at the same time draws the viewer’s attention to the small cube-shaped box that the angel is holding in its slender, long-limbed fingers. The cube is decorated with a Gothic quatrefoil motif, which is often seen in the architectural tracery of windows, but was also often used to decorate caskets and other small treasures. The sweeping gestures in the presentation of the attributes suggest three-dimensionality, in contrast to the tubular folds at the base of the neck and the intricate draperies in flat and multiple overlapping garment sections. The soft curves of the folds give the impression that the clothing is made of a heavy fabric that falls diagonally down the front and is laid in several bowl folds under the right hand.
Overall, the sculptural work testifies to the highest artistic skill, which emphasizes the virtuosity of sculpture in its precious and representative overall impression. The memorable characteristics recognizable here can be seen in comparable pictorial works from Utrecht around the middle of the 15th century, when sculptural art – especially stone sculpture – was characterized by a remarkably high quality. Particularly noteworthy is the accentuated Utrecht head type with an elongated oval face, almond-shaped eyes with heavy lids and dense, vividly protruding tufts of hair framing the head. For example, the figure is comparable to a capital of an angel on the east side of the rood screen of the Joriskerk in Amersfoort (province of Utrecht) from the second quarter of the 15th century. Not only the physiognomy and hair, which in the comparative example stand somewhat more horizontally to one side, but also the garment puff above the girdle are similar. Even more related motifs, such as the cleverly placed bowl folds, can be found on the limestone figure...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Sandstone
Limestone Relief With Saint Georges, France 15th Century
Located in Milan, IT
Relief with saint Georges
France, 15th Century
limestone 26 x 20 cm (10 1/4 x 7 3/4 in) without base
Category
15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Limestone
Early Renaissance Wood Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An evocative, 14th century, carved wood statue of a seated Mary with the Christ child in her lap. The piece with a beautiful patina featuring polychrome paint traces. Now mounted on ...
Category
Renaissance 15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Paint
Saint John the Evangelist
Located in Wien, Wien
Saint John the Evangelist
Prague workshop from the circle of Master Theoderich
(mentioned from 1359 to 1368)
Around 1380/90
Carved & polychrome painted limewood
Height 88 cm
St. Jo...
Category
Gothic 15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
14th-century Gothic gargoyle in limestone
Located in Milano, IT
Fascinating limestone gargouille (or gargoyle) from the region of Avignon, France, dating from the 14th century. A rare and striking hand-carved piece that perfectly embodies the med...
Category
French School 15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Stone
ANCIENT ROMAN BRONZE FIGURE OF WINGED EROS RIDING A DOLPHIN, 2ND CENTURY AD
Located in Milan, IT
Bronze figure of a young Eros, caught in the pose of riding a dolphin.
Attractive green patina, some fingers and right foot are broken. Separately worked left wing is missing. Right ...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
