Featured Large Medieval French?? Carved Wood Bust

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

 

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 ?

 

May be helpful?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portrait_of_Eleanor_of_Aragon

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bust_of_a_Princess

 

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 .

 

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

 

Serene.

 

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

 

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

 

Think you may well be right.

Debora

 

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.

 

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?

 

Base from underneath? Yes, please.

Debora

 

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

 

Interesting coincidence.

https://www.antiquers.com/threads/bronze-copper-eleanor-of-aragon-bust.74957/

 

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.

 

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

 

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




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.

 

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.