Lot 1023 Dα

Central Germany circa 1580

A Central German relief of the death of the Virgin, circa 1580

Probably carved lindenwood, the reverse flattened. Minor remains of former polychromy. A relief with a curved top, to which a separately carved figure of an apostle with a censer has been applied to the lower left. The dying Virgin is shown lain on a bed in a vaulted interior and surrounded by a circle of the 12 mourning and praying apostles. A dove representing the holy spirit hovers above her head. Saint Peter stands beside the Virgin, placing a candle in her folded hands. The apostle to his right holds a holy water stoop, indicating that Saint Peter probably originally held an aspergillum in his left hand, which is now lost.
A vertical crack to the center left, two small backed losses to the right half. Minor wear. 91 x 91 x 7 cm.