Central Italy, late 17th - early 18th century... Lot 8

Central Italy, late 17th - early 18th century Miniature devotional altarpiece after the Madonna delle Ghiara, Basilica della Beata Vergine della Ghiara, Figures and decorative elements in ivory carved in high relief or in appliqué, mostly dating from the seventeenth century, reassembled in modern times to form a reduction of the altarpiece of the Basilica della Beata Vergine della Ghiara (wood and resin) Dim of the central figure H. 10,5 cm ; Dim of the frame : 39,5 x 32,5 x 6 cm Restorations and elements brought back Related works : -Giovanne Bertone, Madonna della Ghiara, 1573, fresco painting, Reggio Emilia, Santuario della Madonna della Ghiara ; -Emilia Romagna School, Madonna della Ghiara, before 1623, ivory, Florence, Musei degli Argenti - Italy, probably 17th century, Madonna adoring the Child Jesus after Lelio Orsi, ivory, H. 8,3 cm, New York ,Metropolitan Museum, n°inv. 1976.422.5 ; - Umbria, 18th century, Virgin adoring the Child Jesus after Lelio Orsi, ivory, H.6,3 cm, Baltimore, Walter Art Museum, n°inv.71.372. Related literature: Eike D Schmidt, Das Elfenbein der Medici, Hirmer Verlag GmbH, München, 2012, pp.47 The central figure of this small private devotional altarpiece is based on the fresco made in 1573 by Giovanni Bianchi, after a model by Correggio's student Lelio Orsi in 1569. This work has known an incredible diffusion in different media, especially in the form of statuettes in ivory, thanks to its miraculous dimension and the pilgrimage that is attached to it. This beautiful ivory devotional object is a significant example: the Virgin Mary is represented seated three-quarter on a rock, legs crossed and part of her dress spread on the ground, hands joined towards Christ. The latter is sitting balanced on a pillow with one arm stretched back and smiling at his mother. The two figures are part of an architectural decor inspired by the monumental altarpiece framing the famous scene in the basilica of Reggio Emilia. It includes in the crowning, between the ramps of the broken pediment, an applique figure of God the Father blessing, putti in terms, caryatids and ornaments to the antique on the pilasters. Another Virgin adoring the Child, of the same model, adorns the predella. Expert : Sculpture et Collections, Elodie Jeannest - + 33 (0)6 83 59 98 40 - e.jeannest@sculptureetcollection.com