Featured Large Medieval French?? Carved Wood Bust

Discussion in 'Antique Discussion' started by Robski, Nov 24, 2022.

  1. Robski

    Robski Member

    Greetings All

    Bought this at a local Art Auction and I would like some help to identify the origin of the Bust. I absolutely Love it!!

    Probably not actually Medieval in age, but it is at least 19th Century.

    There were amazing 17th to 19th Century carved wood items in the catalogue from a US collection.

    It was bought in France years ago and is solid Oak? and is 21" high and 18" wide (about 27 lbs). There is a lot of age to it with minor damage to the nose and back.

    It is constructed of three pieces with the shoulders being separate. There are figural carvings below each shoulder.

    Is this French or is the style consistent with other regions? I guess the Medieval style Hairstyle and Clothing could be a "throwback"?? Perhaps it was part of something larger?

    Any help would be appreciated.

    Best Regards
    Rob IMG_8958.jpg IMG_9009.jpg IMG_9017.jpg IMG_8965.jpg IMG_8978.jpg IMG_8979.jpg IMG_8980.jpg IMG_8983.jpg IMG_8985.jpg IMG_8988.jpg
     
  2. bosko69

    bosko69 Well-Known Member

    Robski- It does remind me of one on 1stDibs,here's the description- 'Very beautiful head of a virgin in carved wood and patinated medieval period. It probably comes from a Virgin and Child, probably the rest of the work was burned in a fire. Under the patina redone in the 19th century, one can distinguish remains of wood damaged by the fire. This work, which we can date to around 1450, is typical of Norman statuary of the late Middle Ages'.
    You've got a great eye & collection.Always superb taste Amigo-a treat looking !
    PS-Regarding the piece,is there any evidence of woodworm damage,repair,paint,gesso,wax,restoration or gilding ?
     
    Last edited: Nov 24, 2022
    Ghopper1924, judy and Bronwen like this.
  3. bluumz

    bluumz Quite Busy

  4. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    She is beautiful.
    The hairstyle looks late 15th century to me, so slightly later than the bust of Eleonora of Aragon. But as you said, it could have been made at a later date.

    When a church acquired a new relic, sometimes literally new, a new reliquary had to be made.
    There was also the Historic Revival of the 19th century, when many copies were made for collectors.

    Tagging @Debora .:)
     
    Last edited: Nov 25, 2022
    Ghopper1924 and judy like this.
  5. bosko69

    bosko69 Well-Known Member

    Beautiful art,old or new is timeless.She speaks to us from 500 or 100 years ago just as clearly.
     
    Ghopper1924 likes this.
  6. Lark

    Lark Well-Known Member

  7. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    Way beyond any knowledge I have. A reliquary bust as noted above. Especially lovely (to modern eyes) because of her simplicity. I would think the carving on base outside the Medieval period. Perhaps a later addition? Or perhaps she's a more modern interpretation?

    Debora

    Screen Shot 2022-11-25 at 7.01.47 AM.png
     
    Any Jewelry likes this.
  8. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    I was wondering what you think the period of her hairstyle is.:) Late 15th century?
     
  9. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    Think you may well be right.

    Debora
     
  10. bosko69

    bosko69 Well-Known Member

    The base carving perhaps from a later 'Romantic' period ? Don't mean just the early 19th century 'Byronic',but as a style/motif-less formalized perhaps,just a guess.fine piece.
     
  11. Jeff Drum

    Jeff Drum Well-Known Member

    You left out the most important pics - the base from underneath. Wood grain seems quite wide, so I’m guessing not old growth wood, but underneath would help with wood and grain ID. And it looks like she’s had an unfortunate nose job (new nose added) - do you agree?
     
  12. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    Base from underneath? Yes, please.

    Debora
     
  13. Robski

    Robski Member

    IMG_9005.jpg Hello
    Thanks for the replies.
    The nose looks to be repaired.
    It is made of heavy wood that looks kind of like Oak but I am not sure.

    And the Base shows multiple holes that might show it was attached to something else at some point.

    Besides the nose there is no evidence of woodworm damage, repair, paint, gesso, wax, restoration or gilding.

    Cheers
    Rob
     
    Potteryplease and komokwa like this.
  14. Bakersgma

    Bakersgma Well-Known Member

  15. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Yes, it is, some Eleanor of Aragon bust links were posted here by Bluumz herself.
    The copper bust is probably why she thought of them when she saw this bust. This one is a little later than Eleanor though.
     
    Last edited: Nov 26, 2022
    bluumz likes this.
  16. bluumz

    bluumz Quite Busy

    Exactly!
    I'd been eyeing the copper one for sale locally when I saw the wood one posted here.
     
  17. Robski

    Robski Member

    Thanks for the information.

    I agree.
    It is a copy of the original 1473 marble sculpture by Francesco Laurana. This plaster copy below is in the Royal Academy collection.

    Thanks

    fax9u9gchvgkwqitoold.jpeg

    sjwykqkhcdu1ozvuwr3j.jpeg
    Bust of a woman, possibly Ippolita Maria Sforza, ca. 1473

    After Francesco Laurana (ca. 1430 - 1502)

    RA Collection: Art

    This cast was taken from a marble original of about 1473 attributed to the sculptor Francesco Laurana (c. 1430-c. 1502). Previously in the collection of the Berlin Staatliche Museum, the Laurana bust was damaged by a fire in the Friedrichshain flak tower, where it was stored for protection during the Second World War, along with thousands of other artworks. The head of the original marble remains in Berlin.
     
    komokwa likes this.
  18. bosko69

    bosko69 Well-Known Member

    Stored in a Flak Tower-why not underground ? Hey,I didn't live thru the horror of WWII,just wish there would have been a tunnel available.
     
Draft saved Draft deleted

Share This Page