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Rare and Fine Antique Arms & Armour

Friday 31 March 2023, 10:00 AM • Sarzana

353

An extraordinary sculpted triptych with scenes from Christ's life, 19th Century

Estimate

€ 6.000 - 9.000

Sold

€ 8.750

The price includes buyer's premium

Information

dimensions total open 59,5 x 54 x 5 cm
Three wooden panels with a hollow structure to include the various scenes, the effigies of the saints and the architectural structures all finely sculpted in ivory, in relief. The central panel ending in a pointed arch of neo-Gothic style, containing a structure with thin columns worked in bas-relief and supporting trefoil arches, on remains of a blue background, to imitate the interior of a cathedral. Under the arch a canopy is worked with inlays and in high relief, again with Gothic elements, and featuring a shield in the center with a coat of arms with six bezants. The canopy surmounts the first scene, a Deposition of Christ in high relief with slender and stately figures made with taste and skill, the cross is gilded and two angels with gilded wings is placed beside it. Also the other characters with remains of gilding in various elements (including in the collars and the lapels of the tunics). The lower scene depicts the continuation of the previous one: Christ has been taken down from the cross and is supported and mourned by the characters around him, the figures always majestically made of ivory in high relief. Another carved canopy delimits the last two scenes made in bas-relief and both depicting the Holy Family, one certainly depicting the Flight into Egypt. Around the central scenes a thick frame carved with ivory, probably depicting the crown of thorns and ending in a crusader shield with red and gold remains. On the two sides other ivory elements including fleches (spires) surmounting the effigies of Saints resting on bundles of columns with capitals carved with dragons. The two side panels both surmounted by the effigy of an angel whose wings feature remaining of gilding, holding a shield with a partially painted red and gold heraldic emblem, and a red bandeau intertwined with the wings, all made of ivory, always on a blue wooden background. The right panel with an architectural decoration worked in high and bas relief, taking up the main one on the central panel, the canopy shield with a different coat of arms, the main scene with the effigy of a Saint standing on a pedestal and guarded by two armigers with halberd wearing 15th-Century robes All made of ivory with remains of golden elements. The scene on the bottom is not easy to identify. A thick ivory frame with twisted elements frames the entire scene. The left panel surmounted by the same architectural decoration featuring a large scene in high relief (Jesus praying in the Garden of Olives?) in ivory with gilded elements. The scene in the background is certainly an Adoration of the Magi. The ivory frame takes up the one on the right. Obviously some slight defects due to time and aging. The wood with some restored woodworm holes, but with a still solid structure. Iron hinges. The internal wooden edge with remains of a geometric inlay decoration. A work of great value and remarkable, sculptural know-how. The triptych is provided with a regular Cites certificate (valid within the EU only).