Chinese Han Style Court Lady Statuette Group

A substantial carved wooden panel with figures in low-relief, representing knights of second half of 16th century A.D. engaged in a deadly battle; the armoured knights depicted facing each other, with the lance couché, trampling over the dead and wounded, while on the background the clash among the infantrymen of the opposed armies can be seen; after the work of Albrecht Dürer and Alexander Colyn, with old typed labels translating to: 'Alexander Colins. Flemish sculptor, born 1526 in Mechelen, died 1617 in Innsbruck. Created important works of art from around 1550 onwards. His sculptures include those at the Heidelberg Castle, the tomb of Emperor Maximilian I in the Court Church in Innsbruck and other important grave monuments.' 2.7 kg, 45 cm wide



Private collection, New York, USA. Ex central London gallery. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12180-221703.

The second battle of Guinegate, or Battle of the Spurs, was an episode of the early 16th century wars (August, 16th 1513), when Henry VIII and the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I surprised and routed a body of French knights under Jacques de la Palice. The Flemish artist represented the victory as one of the main scenes for the imperial grave of Emperor Maximilian I, the sketches for which were made by the well known German sculptor, painter and architect Albrecht Dürer.

Carved in the round with legs crossed and nail to the feet, hands pierced for attachment; the head tilted with short beard, wearing a loincloth secured by a rope belt; detailed musculature; one thumb absent. 176 grams, 37 cm



Private collection, England.

Obverse with a prancing horse in a landscape, reverse with three columns of text. 35 grams, 59 x 39 mm



Ex Paris gallery, 1980-1990. From a Parisian collection.