Sale Overview
The Old Master Paintings and Sculpture online sale offers a broad selection of works across all schools of European painting and sculpture, from the late 14th century to the mid-19th century, with estimates ranging from £2,000 - £100,000. The sale features a fascinating copy on panel of Hans Holbein the Younger’s The Body of the Dead Christ in the Tomb in the Kunstmuseum, Basel, one of the most evocative and arresting images of the Christ in Western art. There is a fine example of 16th century Mannerist Florentine painting in an enigmatic Portrait of a gentleman, exhibiting the grandeur and elegant refinement of Florentine masters like Alessandro Allori and Agnolo Bronzino, the latter to whom it was historically attributed. It will also include a group of pictures from the collection of Sir Roy Strong, the renowned art historian, museum curator, broadcaster and former director of both the National Portrait Gallery and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
The offering of European sculpture and works of art includes two small groups from private European collections which are both notable for their emphasis on late Mediaeval pieces. These include several reliquaries and monstrances, and a particularly fine Nottingham alabaster relief of Christ on the Road to Calvary from the 15th century. Among other properties, there is a fine bronze figure of Minerva from the celebrated Bergsten Collection, and a gold and rock crystal monstrance which relates closely to an example in the Treasury of St. Peter’s, Rome, from the very early 18th century.
The sale will be on view at our King Street location from 3 December – 16 December.
Christmas / Holiday Shipping Notice
To be able to ship your property in advance of the holidays, payment for property and/or shipping must be received by on Wednesday, 2 December for any European road shuttles or international airfreight shipments and Friday, 11 December for any UK road shuttles and domestic or international courier shipments. Please note that Christie’s is not responsible for delays in international shipments due to customs and export licenses.