Large Ecce Homo Sacred Relief of Christ's Head in Walnut, 1720s

Details

Description

An exceptionally powerful and expressive sacred carving from the early 18th century: a three-dimensional depiction of Christ with the Crown … Read more An exceptionally powerful and expressive sacred carving from the early 18th century: a three-dimensional depiction of Christ with the Crown of Thorns (Ecce Homo / Salvator Mundi), created in southern Germany or the Alpine region around 1720.

The sculpture was masterfully hand-carved from a single, solid block of fine walnut wood. The fine rendering of the facial features is particularly noteworthy – the deeply lowered eyelids, the slightly open mouth, and the flowing, heavy locks of hair testify to the high level of craftsmanship typical of the Baroque period. The intertwined crown of thorns lends the piece a profound, three-dimensional presence.

The untouched reverse side shows fascinating, historical tool marks (axe and adze marks) as well as the original mounting holes. These prove beyond doubt that the relief originally served as the crowning element of an important piece of sacred furniture (such as an altarpiece or a sacristy door). The object possesses a mature, deep, dark patina with a museum-quality appearance.
\. Condition Report

In honest, unrestored original condition, as found, with age-appropriate traces of a centuries-long history:

Patina & Surface: Beautiful, historically developed surface with partial, authentic abrasion (including minimal wear on the tip of the nose and the raised areas of the crown of thorns).

Misses: A characteristic, historical break on one of the lower hair curls along the wood grain, which was deliberately left unrestored to preserve the authenticity of the piece.

Integrity: The wood is dry, absolutely stable, and shows minimal, inactive traces of old insect infestation on the back. Free of modern additions or subsequent overpainting.

Details & Dimensions

Period: Baroque (Early 18th century, ca. 1720)

Provenance: Southern Germany / Austria

Material: Walnut (solid wood)

Object Type: Sacred Relief / Sculpture Fragment

Condition: Good (with historical losses / unrestored original condition)
A fascinating A statement piece that both enriches a classic antiques collection and impresses as a dramatic, sculptural contrast in a minimalist mid-century or brutalist interior. See less