CNG 96, Lot: 1454. Estimate $1000. Sold for $800. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

LOW COUNTRIES or ITALY. 17th century. AR Oval Plaquette (46x37mm, 14.86 g). The Descent from the Cross: two men on ladders, one at the top of the cross who has just freed Christ’s hands, the other at the middle, supporting Christ’s body on his shoulder; to right, an older man standing left (Joseph of Arimethea); to left, three mourning women: one (Mary Magdalene) kneeling; a second (Mary Salome) in mournful attitude; the third (the Virgin Mary[?]) kneeling with face in hands, weeping; above, two cherubim in the clouds / Blank with evidence of original casting process. Cf. http://tinyurl.com/kfweowj (for 15th century South Netherlandish wood and polychrome sculpture of scene). Superb EF, attractively toned. Possibly employed as binding decoration in a Bible of Missal.

Ex Astarte XVII (8 May 2005), lot 290.