Carving, Elfenbein Schnitzerei die Bekrönung Maria - 33 cm - Ivory, Glass, Wood - 1750

Italy – Coronation of Mary – Baroque Ivory Relief – 18th Century

Exceptional Italian ivory relief from the 18th century (1700-1750) depicting the Coronation of Mary.

In the center, Mary kneels with folded hands on a cloud bank. Beside her, Christ with the Cross and God the Father with the globe jointly hold the crown. Above, the Holy Spirit appears in the form of a dove, surrounded by clouds and rays. Numerous angel heads complete the elaborately executed Baroque composition.

The figures and ornaments were carved individually from elephant ivory and then assembled into a sculptural ensemble. The entire scene is mounted on dark red velvet from the same period and encased under glass in a dark, profiled display case. The historical velvet creates a striking contrast to the pale ivory.

According to an expert report by Dr. Stefan Ziegler, the present work can be dated to the 18th century with very high probability. The composition resembles a Russian icon from the first half of the 17th century, which may have served as an iconographic model.

No signature or workshop mark is visible. The executing artist is therefore unknown.

Object data:

* Representation: Coronation of Mary
* Origin: Italy
* Dating: 18th century 1700-1750
* Era: Baroque
* Artist/Workshop: unknown Italian workshop
* Material: carved elephant ivory
* Substrate: dark red velvet from the 18th century
* Frame dimensions: approximately 32 × 27 cm
* Total weight: approximately 1,120 g
* Net weight of the ivory: approximately 245 g
* Height of the main figures: approximately 11 cm
* Overall width of the motif: approximately 15 cm
* Material thickness: approximately 0.8 cm
* Mounted under glass in a profiled display case

Provenance:

According to tradition from the private collection of Mainz physician Dr. Peter Winnen (1882–1967), Sanitätsrat and co-founder of St. Elisabeth and Vincent Hospitals in Mainz.

On the reverse is the handwritten designation “Julie Bieger,” presumably an earlier owner’s note.

The ivory shows an age-appropriate yellowish patina as well as fine stress cracks and fissures. The historic velvet fabric also bears age-appropriate traces. These features underscore the authentic character of the work.

An expert opinion by the renowned appraiser Dr. Stefan Ziegler from 8 March 2026 and an EU certificate for commercial activities of the Regierungspräsidium Gießen from 16 April 2026 accompany the object.