51 Gallery
June 2017 Auction 9 Jun 2017
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CARVED GROUP OF THE CHRISTENING OF CHARLES THE BOLD
Probable work of a Flemish workshop, ca. 1833, 6.914g, in 15th century style
With a scientific report (0916-OA-243R) from the CIRAM dated 19 October 2016
This exceptional carved group represents the baptism of Charles the Bold in the Holy Chapel of Dijon, then seat of the Order of the Golden Fleece, on 11 November 1433. It shows the Duke of Burgundy Philip the Good (32cm) carrying Charles... born a few hours earlier. To his left, his wife Isabella of Portugal (32cm), accompanied by Jeanne de La Tremoille (30cm), her maid of honor and the godmother of Charles; to his right, his stepson Charles of Nevers (28cm), the godfather of Charles. The last figure is Laurent Pinon (31cm), a Dominican monk, confessor of the Duke and new Bishop of Auxerre. All are placed on a wooden basement covered with repoussé copper sheets. This splendid representation is clearly inspired by a famous triptych of Rogier van der Weyden, the Seven Sacrements, which depicts a ceremony of christening with, especially, an identical Roman style baptismal font.
This very realistic carved group was executed with a meticulousness and a sense of detail quite remarkable. Its exceptional quality makes it a masterpiece worthy of a museum. This outstanding work of art, of great historical interest and fascination, was probably commissioned to celebrate the 400th Anniversary of Charles the Bold's christening... legitimating, at the same time, the creation of Belgium, which was therefore not an accident of history. Indeed, "the house of Burgundy represents much more than an ambitious dynasty... it is the Low Countries. Philip the Good was the founder of Belgium (conditor Belgii)." Henri Pirenne
Probable work of a Flemish workshop, ca. 1833, 6.914g, in 15th century style
With a scientific report (0916-OA-243R) from the CIRAM dated 19 October 2016
This exceptional carved group represents the baptism of Charles the Bold in the Holy Chapel of Dijon, then seat of the Order of the Golden Fleece, on 11 November 1433. It shows the Duke of Burgundy Philip the Good (32cm) carrying Charles... born a few hours earlier. To his left, his wife Isabella of Portugal (32cm), accompanied by Jeanne de La Tremoille (30cm), her maid of honor and the godmother of Charles; to his right, his stepson Charles of Nevers (28cm), the godfather of Charles. The last figure is Laurent Pinon (31cm), a Dominican monk, confessor of the Duke and new Bishop of Auxerre. All are placed on a wooden basement covered with repoussé copper sheets. This splendid representation is clearly inspired by a famous triptych of Rogier van der Weyden, the Seven Sacrements, which depicts a ceremony of christening with, especially, an identical Roman style baptismal font.
This very realistic carved group was executed with a meticulousness and a sense of detail quite remarkable. Its exceptional quality makes it a masterpiece worthy of a museum. This outstanding work of art, of great historical interest and fascination, was probably commissioned to celebrate the 400th Anniversary of Charles the Bold's christening... legitimating, at the same time, the creation of Belgium, which was therefore not an accident of history. Indeed, "the house of Burgundy represents much more than an ambitious dynasty... it is the Low Countries. Philip the Good was the founder of Belgium (conditor Belgii)." Henri Pirenne