Lot 553: A POLYCHROME TERRACOTTA GROUP OF THE VIRGIN AND CHILD

A POLYCHROME TERRACOTTA GROUP OF THE VIRGIN AND CHILD
CIRCLE OF JACOPO DELLA QUERCIA (1374-1438), CIRCA 1430-1450
The Virgin depicted seated, wearing a blue cloak over a red dress which falls in V-shaped folds at her feet, with the Christ Child sleeping on her lap; wear to the polychromy and areas refreshed, repairs, minor losses and damages
37 in. (94 cm.) high

COMPARATIVE LITERATURE:
J. Beck, Jacopo della Quercia, New York, 1991.

THE PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.
The terracotta group offered here shares a number of characteristics with the works of Jacopo della Quercia, including his stone group of the Virgin and Child executed circa 1428 for the lunette of the main portal of San Petronio, Bologna (Beck, op. cit., I, pp. 168-177, II, figs. 86-89). Compared to this group, the present lot has similar delicate facial features, proportions and thick locks of curling hair. Further similarities can also be seen in the treatment of the drapery, which falls in thick, heavy folds and the finely modeled fingers. An unusual characteristic of the present group is that the Christ Child is depicted sleeping in his mother's lap thereby allowing the latter a momentary, affectionate, gaze at her son.