Lot 1620 Dα

Austria 2nd half 15th century

An Austrian carved wood figure of the Virgin and Child, 2nd half 15th century

Carved three-quarters in the round, the reverse flattened and hollowed out. With older and probably partially original polychromy, some areas retouched. A large figure of the crowned Virgin standing in balanced contrapposto on a facetted plinth, designed for a frontal viewpoint. She is shown holding the nude Christ Child over Her right hip, and holds a sceptre (not the original) in Her extended left hand. Her head is covered by a white veil, and She wears a white, floral patterned gown, which falls to Her feet in parallel folds. Her cloak is fastened at the neck and gathered across Her body, creating a pattern of thick, even folds encompassed by thinly carved, curling seams.
The crown and sceptre added later. Some fingers and toes broken and partially lost. A minor backed breakage above the Virgin's left elbow. Wear with losses to the polychromy. Height 133 cm (without the crown).