Lot 1306 Dα

Jakob Kaschauer

A carved wooden figure of the Virgin on the crescent by Jakob Kaschauer

Carved three-quarters in the round, the reverse flattened and deeply hollowed out. Minimal remains of older polychromy. A life-sized figure of the crowned Virgin Mary standing on a crescent moon holding the nude Christ Child with a globe in both hands before Her. The Virgin stands in a swaying pose with Her torso leaning back. The upper half of Her body is accentuated by the deep drapery of the cloak, with thick compressed folds contrasting against falling vertical pleats. The composition of the figure and especially the facial features allow us to identify the piece as a product of the Austrian sculptor Jakob Kaschauer and date it to around 1440-50. This artist is documented among the masons of Vienna Cathedral from 1429 onwards and is also known to have created works for the high altar of Freisingen Cathedral as of 1443.
Wear with minor losses. Vertical hairline cracks. Wooden borders applied to the edges of the plinth. Height 168 cm.