A SET OF TWELVE PARCEL-GILT POLYCHROME CARVED WOODEN FIGURES OF THE APOSTLES

CIRCLE OF THOMAS SCHWANTHALER (1634-1707), LATE 17TH OR EARLY 18TH CENTURY

Details

A SET OF TWELVE PARCEL-GILT POLYCHROME CARVED WOODEN FIGURES OF THE APOSTLES
CIRCLE OF THOMAS SCHWANTHALER (1634-1707), LATE 17TH OR EARLY 18TH CENTURY
Each with a marblised wooden wall bracket painted with the name of the apostle; all except two on integral naturalistic bases; some with attributes and with detachable haloes.
The polychromy slightly distressed; several with extremities lacking; all drilled with holes on the back of the head; chips.
34½ to 36.3/8 in. (87.6 to 92.4 cm.) high (12)

Literature

COMPARATIVE LITERATURE:
Reichersberg, Augustinerchorherrenstift, Die Bildhauerfamilie Schwanthaler 1633-1848 vom Barock zum Klassizismus, 3 May - 13 October 1974, nos. 30, 68, pl. XI, fig. 24.

Lot Essay

The present group of apostles follows the tremendously strong woodcarving tradition in Germany and Austria which reached its apogee in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. Here, the figures have gained a baroque sense of movement combined with a certain delicacy of proportion and detail which places them in the circle of Thomas Schwanthaler, who worked in Austria around the year 1700.
The survival of all twelve apostles - including St. Matthias, who replaced Judas after the latter's betrayal - is a rare one.

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