Lot 1164 Dα

Probably Central Germany late 15th century

A late 15th century carved wooden figure of the Virgin of Mercy, presumably Central German

Carved three-quarters in the round, the reverse flattened and deeply hollowed out. With older, presumably partially original, polychromy, overpainted in some areas. A large and expressive figure of the Virgin as Our Lady of Mercy - the so-called "Schutzmantelmadonna" motif - designed for a slightly lowered viewpoint. The crowned Virgin is depicted in contrapposto, wearing a long richly draped gold cloak and holding the nude Christ Child in Her left arm, the right arm would have formerly held a sceptre, which is now lacking. Two angels to the left and right of the Virgin extend Her cloak to shelter fourteen figures kneeling in prayer. On the left we see a Pope, Cardinal, Bishop, monks, and a nun as representatives of the ecclesiastical caste, and on the right the worldly order is depicted in the guise of a King, knight, and soldiers. The date incised into the reverse of the piece "11.5.1887" could refer to the time at which the additions were made.
The outer edges of the cloak, the Child's right forearm, the Virgin's right hand, the angel's wing, and the tips of the crown replaced. Cracks to the plinth. 123 x 68 x 25 cm.