Lot 1801 Dα

Ostdeutsch circa 1380/1390

An East German carved limewood figure of the Virgin Enthroned, circa 1380/1390.

Carved three-quarters in the round, the reverse flattened, deeply hollowed out and set with a horizontal peg. Original polychromy with gilding, silvering and embossed decor. A beautiful depiction of the Virgin seated on a moulded, cushioned throne designed for a frontal and slightly lowered viewpoint. The separately worked figure of the Child which She would originally have held in Her lap has not survived. The Virgin wears a plain, girdled silver dress lined with red and a gold cloak lined with blue. The rich play of the cloak's drapery, accentuated by the exquisitely preserved original polychromy, largely defines the composition of the work. According the previous owner, the sculpture originates from St. Nikolai's Church in Elbing near Danzig.
The child's forearm lost. With minimal wear. Height 67 cm.