MADONNA AND CHILD Central Germany, second half of the 15th century.

MADONNA AND CHILD

Central Germany, second half of the 15th century.
Limewood carved in the round, hollowed at the back, polychrome painted and parcel-gilt. Standing Virgin, finely draped and wearing a crown (later replacement), holding a pear in her right hand and the Christ Child in her left arm. The Christ Child holding grapes. On a later base.
H 137 cm. H with base 166 cm.
Right hand and big toe of the Christ Child incomplete. Various cracks and losses. Retouching to the paintwork.

Provenance:
- Probably collection of Professor Norbert Schrödl (1842–1912).
- Kunsthaus Heinrich Hahn auction, “Sammlung des Frankfurter Kaufherrn P.H./Die Jacquet'sche Gläsersammlung/Möbel und Gemälde alter Meister aus fürstlichem Besitz/Nachlass Professor Norbert Schrödl”, Frankfurt, 6–8 January 1928, lot 621, illustrated on pl. XXIX.
- Collection of Bruno Kaiser (1911–1982), Basel (according to a copy of a letter from Prof. Dr Baum/Württembergisches Landesmuseum Stuttgart).
- A. Carl & Co., August Carl, Zurich (according to a copy of a letter from Prof. Dr Baum/Württembergisches Landesmuseum Stuttgart).
- Private collection, Zurich, at least from 28 November 1949 to at least 11 February 1977 (according to a copy of an appraisal by F. Payer Antiquitäten).
- By inheritance in a Swiss private collection.

Prof. Dr Julius Baum (1888–1959), former curator at the Württembergische Landesmuseum in Stuttgart, attributes the present sculpture to the school of Hans Multscher (circa 1400–1467) (according to a copy of a letter to the then owner, dated 28 November 1949).