Medieval Pipeclay Virgin Mary with Child Statue - Koln Large Size
17
days
12
hours
40
minutes
37
seconds
Current bid
€ 355
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 2,300 - € 2,800
 | €355 | |
|---|---|---|
| €250 | |
| €165 |
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This late-medieval pipeclay statue, dated 1425–1550, depicts the crowned Virgin Mary carrying the Christ Child on her right arm.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Large and finely moulded Late Medieval pipeclay devotional figure depicting the crowned Virgin Mary standing with the Christ Child on her right arm.
Mary is portrayed wearing an elaborate open crown over a long veil. Her gently inclined head and the flowing folds of her gown create an elegant, slightly curved silhouette. She supports one of the Child’s feet with her left hand. The partially reclining Christ Child rests against her breast and appears to hold a small fruit, probably an apple, in his right hand.
The figure stands upon an integral architectural pedestal with moulded bands, open Gothic arcades and small niches or rosette-like ornaments. The reverse is comparatively plain but retains the moulded outlines of the Virgin’s veil and long drapery.
The figure was produced from two moulded hollow sections, joined before firing. This method allowed devotional figures to be manufactured in relatively large numbers while retaining considerable sculptural detail.
Production centre: probably Koln or Utrecht - Low Countries.
Height: ± 24 cm
Condition: Good and solid condition, remarkably complete. Surface wear and some soil deposits are present. Minor age-related signs of wear consistent with age and use.
Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request for all lots with a hammer price of €100 or higher.
From the fourteenth to the sixteenth century, small religious figures made from fine, white-firing pipeclay became popular throughout Germany and the Low Countries. Produced in reusable moulds, they provided a relatively affordable alternative to devotional sculptures carved in wood, stone or ivory.
Figures of the Virgin and Child were particularly popular for private devotion. They could be placed in domestic interiors, convent cells or small devotional niches.
Mary is traditionally shown crowned, while carrying the Christ Child on her right arm. The fruit held by the Child is generally interpreted as an apple, symbolising Christ as the new Adam and referring to the redemption of humanity from original sin.
Reference:
Compare Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, object numbers BK-NM-11299 and BK-NM-11300, both dated circa 1425-1500. The museum examples share the standing Virgin, reclining Christ Child, and integral pedestal with Gothic arcades.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Large and finely moulded Late Medieval pipeclay devotional figure depicting the crowned Virgin Mary standing with the Christ Child on her right arm.
Mary is portrayed wearing an elaborate open crown over a long veil. Her gently inclined head and the flowing folds of her gown create an elegant, slightly curved silhouette. She supports one of the Child’s feet with her left hand. The partially reclining Christ Child rests against her breast and appears to hold a small fruit, probably an apple, in his right hand.
The figure stands upon an integral architectural pedestal with moulded bands, open Gothic arcades and small niches or rosette-like ornaments. The reverse is comparatively plain but retains the moulded outlines of the Virgin’s veil and long drapery.
The figure was produced from two moulded hollow sections, joined before firing. This method allowed devotional figures to be manufactured in relatively large numbers while retaining considerable sculptural detail.
Production centre: probably Koln or Utrecht - Low Countries.
Height: ± 24 cm
Condition: Good and solid condition, remarkably complete. Surface wear and some soil deposits are present. Minor age-related signs of wear consistent with age and use.
Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request for all lots with a hammer price of €100 or higher.
From the fourteenth to the sixteenth century, small religious figures made from fine, white-firing pipeclay became popular throughout Germany and the Low Countries. Produced in reusable moulds, they provided a relatively affordable alternative to devotional sculptures carved in wood, stone or ivory.
Figures of the Virgin and Child were particularly popular for private devotion. They could be placed in domestic interiors, convent cells or small devotional niches.
Mary is traditionally shown crowned, while carrying the Christ Child on her right arm. The fruit held by the Child is generally interpreted as an apple, symbolising Christ as the new Adam and referring to the redemption of humanity from original sin.
Reference:
Compare Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, object numbers BK-NM-11299 and BK-NM-11300, both dated circa 1425-1500. The museum examples share the standing Virgin, reclining Christ Child, and integral pedestal with Gothic arcades.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Details
Culture
Medieval
Century/timeframe
1425-1550
Name of object
Virgin Mary with Child Statue - Koln Large Size
Acquired from
Antique market
Year acquired
2026
Material
Pipeclay
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Antique market
Previous owner - year acquired
2026
Previous owner - country acquired from
Netherlands
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
