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Lot Essay
COMPARATIVE LITERATURE
Marjorie Trusted, Catalogue of European Ambers, Victoria and Albert Museum, 1985. Page 55-58.
In Europe the best sources of amber lie along the shores of the Baltic and north east of Gdansk (Danzig). The region had a very active Guild of Amber Turners around the late 15th century. Marjorie Trusted believes that crucifixes and house-altars were crafted in the amber rich towns of Königsberg, Danzig and Elbing, and for export. This Virgin and Child group could be a component from a larger altar group, with other pieces of amber fixed on by glue and dowelling. The face is also painted with black dots for eyes. The hands and feet are lacking but one could speculate that these were of white amber set into the clear amber of their bodies. This technique is said to date back to the 15th century onwards.
Marjorie Trusted, Catalogue of European Ambers, Victoria and Albert Museum, 1985. Page 55-58.
In Europe the best sources of amber lie along the shores of the Baltic and north east of Gdansk (Danzig). The region had a very active Guild of Amber Turners around the late 15th century. Marjorie Trusted believes that crucifixes and house-altars were crafted in the amber rich towns of Königsberg, Danzig and Elbing, and for export. This Virgin and Child group could be a component from a larger altar group, with other pieces of amber fixed on by glue and dowelling. The face is also painted with black dots for eyes. The hands and feet are lacking but one could speculate that these were of white amber set into the clear amber of their bodies. This technique is said to date back to the 15th century onwards.