WESTFALIAN, POSSIBLY COLOGNE, EARLY 15TH CENTURY

The present apostle figure is an interesting exponent of French influence on german sculpture more usually seen on stone figures of the late 14th century, examples of which can be found in Cologne and Westfalia. The figure would have been part of a larger arrangment of sculptures in an altar comparable to an arrangment as seen in the Coesfelder Altar, in the landesmuseum, Münster. This altar composed of seven arched niches each containing a male saint holding a book. Although later of date than the prototypes in Cologne and Münster as can be seen from the stylised folds and blocky outline, the stiffness of his posture show stylistical influences from the late 14th century related to some of the figures on the Dom in Cologne, particularly the figure on the left of the South Portal; for example the apostel figure on the left shows a similar posture to the present lot with his cloak above his head and book in his right hand. The Cologne figures were sculpted circa 1375 by a French influenced sculptor.