Period Gothic Polychrome Gilt Wood Relief of a Female Saint.
An exceptional and highly evocative 15th century European high-relief wood sculpture depicting a mourning Female Saint or the Virgin Mary, masterfully carved in the Southern German (Franconian) Gothic tradition.
Originally constructed as a prominent figure within a larger religious triptych or altarpiece shrine, the saint is depicted standing in quiet contemplation with her hands devoutly clasped in front of her. The sculpture is mounted onto its original or early integrated wood panel backing, which is richly adorned with extensive gold leaf gilding over a red bole foundation. The piece boasts an incredibly rich, completely untouched historic surface. Macro examination reveals a complex stratigraphy of layered polychromy, showing vibrant blue azurite/ultramarine tones, yellow ochre sleeves, and deep red vestments applied over a traditional chalk-gesso ground. Centuries of natural wood expansion and contraction have blessed the surface with an authentic, heavily craquelured patina, complete with natural alligatoring of the oil-bound blue pigments and honest exposure of the underlying timber substrate.
The underside of the base features an authentic, hand-bored mounting aperture containing traces of ancient lead or putty residue used to pin the relief into its original architectural housing centuries ago. This is a rare, museum-quality devotional artifact displaying the pinnacle of late-medieval craftsmanship.
Good condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Displays beautiful, stable structural condition with extensive historic flaking, paint shrinkage, micro-craquelure, natural shrinkage splitting down the left drapery fold, and honest oxidation/patina to exposed wood elements. Untouched and unrestored.
Dimensions (Including Mounting):
Height: 15.5 in. (39.37 cm)
Width: 9.5 in. (24.13 cm)
Depth: 3.75 in. (9.53 cm)
Figure Only Dimensions:
Height: 10.5 in. (26.67 cm)
Width: 3 in. (7.62 cm)
Depth: 3.25 in. (8.26 cm)