LOT 0356

Medieval Limestone Finial with Scenes from the Nativity

12TH-13TH CENTURY A.D.

2 3/4 - 3 in. (812 grams total, 70-78 mm).

An architectural structural element, carved in two pieces: the upper section formed as a tulip with rounded base, the Nativity scene depicted on all sides comprising: the Virgin and Child seated on a throne, surrounded by divine light; the three wise men bearing gifts to her right, the foremost man kneeling next to the throne; behind the wise men a scene depicting Mary resting on a bed with Joseph beside her, the Child in his cradle with a donkey and an ox looking over him bathed in divine light; the last scene representing the meeting between Mary and Saint Elizabeth; the square base with spandrels. [2, No Reserve]

Acquired in the early 2000s.
Ex Norfolk, UK, collection.

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.11782-205862.

See Hack, B., Mons, I mosaici della Patriarcale Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore (The mosaics of the Patriarchal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore), Rome, 1967; Schug-Wille, C., L’arte bizantina (The Byzantine Art), Milano, 1970; Little, C.T., Set in stone, The face in medieval sculpture, Madrid, 2007; Turnock, J.A., Landscapes of Patronage, Power and Salvation: A Contextual Study of Architectural Stone Sculpture in Northern England, c.1070 - c.1155, Durham University, 2018.

The treatment of the faces is similar to various English Romanesque ecclesiastical sculpture; see for example Christ in Majesty in St Andrew's Church in Bugthorpe or a loose corbel from the St Bees Priory Church of Saint Mary and Saint Bega (Cumbria).