Medieval Christ brings windfall for Dublin collector

A Dublin art collector is the recipient of the latest – and most unexpected – auction windfall. Sotheby’s in London has revealed that a wooden “corpus”, a figure of Christ crucified, which sold for £278,500 (€350,000) in last month’s auction of Old Master Sculpture & Works of Art had been consigned to sale from a “private collection, Dublin, Ireland”.

The corpus made more than 18 times the top estimate of £15,000. It was catalogued as “Spanish or South French, late 12th/13th century” and is made of wood with “traces of polychromy” (paint).

Commenting on the "outstanding result", Sotheby's European Sculpture & Works of Art specialist Christopher Mason said the price "underlines the strong appeal of high-quality medieval works of art for collectors worldwide" and praised Sotheby's staff "in Dublin and London for their hard work in securing this wonderful outcome".

Sotheby’s Dublin office has announced some forthcoming valuation days in Ireland: Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art (September 1st & 2nd); Irish Art (September 8th -11th); Jewellery (September 17th & 18th); European Works of Art and Sculpture (September 22nd & 23rd); and Silver (October 20th & 21st).

Contact Sotheby’s in Molesworth Street for an appointment on 01-6711431 or email dublinoffice@sothebys.com.