CIRCA 1380, LORRAINE OR MAINZ

Details

A polychrome carved stone group of the Virgin and Child
CIRCA 1380, LORRAINE OR MAINZ
On integral naturalistic plinth; the Virgin's nose replaced and right hand lacking; general minor losses
116 cm. high

Special notice

Christie's charge a premium to the buyer on the final bid price of each lot sold at the following rates: 23.8% of the final bid price of each lot sold up to and including €150,000 and 14.28% of any amount in excess of €150,000. Buyers' premium is calculated on the basis of each lot individually.

Lot Essay

The bird held by the Christ Child harks back to 13th century ivory carvings where the Child was often shown holding a bird or fruit. Its symbolism dates from pagan times when a bird was thought to signify the soul of a man flying away at his death. In the carvings, the bird depicted was often a goldfinch, which by tradition acquired the red spot on its breast from a splash of Christ's blood as the bird pulled a thorn from His brow on the road to Calvary. Thus it also acts as a reminder of Christ's divine nature and the sorrow awaiting the Virgin.

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