A sandstone figure carved in the round representing Christ in his role of 'the good shepherd'; standing, wearing a tight sleeved tunic and a mantle draped over his shoulders and gathered on his extended right forearm, reaching to knee-length; close-fitting cap with thick braided fillet to the brow carved in high-relief; a lamb slung across his shoulders with its head resting beside Christ's right ear, detailed carved texture to the fleece, the legs gathered across the collarbone and held by his left hand; the face with downcast expression, bearded and with locks of hair flowing from beneath the cap; socket in the right forearm for the absent hand; mounted on a custom-made stand. [No Reserve]

PROVENANCE:
Pierre Bergé & Associés, Paris, France.
Private collection, Southern France.
Ex central London gallery.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no.11054-184140.

FOOTNOTES:
The "Good Shepherd" motif is based on the pericope of the Gospel of John (10:1–21) in which Jesus is depicted as a herdsman who gives up his life to save his flock. The Parable of the Lost Sheep is recounted in the gospels of Matthew and Luke whereby the redemption of one sinner is celebrated over the orthodoxy of many good people.
The image forms the basis for many works of art, beginning with paintings in the Roman catacombs dating from the 3rd century AD which show a standing a shepherd carrying a lamb across his shoulders. The motif may have a longer history relating to the cult of Hermes in Greek tradition, who is described as kriophoros 'ram-bearer'.