Lot 1374 D α

A middle Rhenish clay and wooden pieta group, circa 1450. Fired red clay and wood, worked in the round, extensive remains of an older and presumably original polychromy. The Virgin is depicted seated on a rectangular bench, lent slightly sideways and holding the body of her dead Son on Her knees. Her right hand supports the hanging head of Christ, and Her left is held to Her breast in sorrow. The right arm of Christ droops lifelessly to the ground, and the lance wound is prominent on His starkly modelled chest. The Virgin wears a finely sculpted veil and a delicately girded dress, Her grey and blue lined cloak is decorated with gilt hems and dark red flowers. Christ's grey-tinted skin is sprinkled with blood. The simple base of the group is set into an old, corresponding moulded wooden plinth.