Lot 1000 Dα

Lothringen circa 1320/1330

A figure of Saint Michael, Lorraine, circa 1320/1330

Sandstone, carved in the round whereby the reverse is carved in less detail. Minor remains of former polychromy. This fine quality sculpture is designed for a frontal viewpoint, but the fact that the sides are also carved in such detail indicates that it may have been originally placed before a wall or pillar. The saint is shown standing upon a dragon lain at his feet, which has sunk its teeth into his shield. Saint Michael is shown with his right hand raised, piercing his opponent with his now missing lance, a pose which emphasises the ponderation of his body. Cuts and old pins to the reverse indicate that the figure once bore separately worked wings. Christof Metzger has convincingly ascribed the sculpture to the Lorraine region and dates it to around 1320/1330, whereby he compares it to works from Metz, such as the Madonna in Saint-Dié Cathedral from around 1310/1320, the Madonna of Verdun from around 1315 (Berlin, Skulpturengalerie) and a fragment of a female saint's head from circa 1325 (Paris, Louvre).
The right hand partially missing. Wear with minor losses, minor weathering to the surface. Mounted on a flat metal plinth. Height 92 cm.