LOT 0425

Large French Medieval Mary Magdalene Stone Carving

ISLE-DE-FRANCE, EARLY 15TH CENTURY A.D.

40 in. (122 kg, 101.5 cm high).

A large carved stone sculpture depicting Mary Magdalene kneeling as a young penitent lady and holding a perfume bottle in a cylindrical box in her left hand; her hair falling gracefully along the right arm, arranged as a long braid; delicately sculpted round face with her gaze cast downwards; wearing a long sleeved tunic and a thick mantle covering half of the figure; small traces of polychrome to the surfaces, hollow back. [No Reserve]

Private collection, Paris SVV Prunier.
Ex central London gallery.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate no.11254-189583.
Accompanied by an archaeological report by Dr. Raffaele D’Amato.

Cf. the Gothic sculpture of Saint Mary Magdalene in the National Museum of Art of Catalonia, second third of the 14th century, from the Master of Pedralbes, inventory no.009797-000.

The present sculpture was originally part of a more complex carved group, representing the famous episode of John’s Gospel 12: 'then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.' It is possible to see the characteristic features of the so-called Gothic naturalism, to which this magnificent and delicate sculpture belongs. The Gothic sculptor expressing the feeling of pity and reverence in the delicate gesture of Mary, whose (now lost) hand, was pouring perfume over the feet of Christ.