IMAGE DETAILS

Mearini Fine Art

Standing figure of Saint (Orsola?), circa 1350
Polychromed and gilded softwood with decoration in ‘Pastiglia’ from the Lake of Costance region
H 68 x W 20 x D 15 cm
Provenance: one of the most important European collection of the early 20th century, the Albert Figdor collection

Albert Figdor (Wien 1843-1927) is considered one of the last private art collectors of ancient art. At the beginning of the 20th century, Albert Figdor's art collection was considered the largest private collection in Europe. It included paintings, miniatures, sculptures, ivory carvings, tapestries, clocks, gold and silversmith's work from altars to jewelry as well as relics and around 300 pieces of furniture of all kinds. As Figdor had a particular fondness for objects of domestic and craft use, chandeliers, stoves, metal vessels, tiles, faience, stoneware, glassware, games, toys, medals, textiles, tools and many other groups of objects were added, demonstrating the broad spectrum of their respective genres.

The actual size of the encyclopedic collection seems never to have been determined in terms of numbers; it was estimated at 5,000 to 6,000 artifacts. Many of these can now be found in important museums and private collections around the world. This legendary collection is published in five volumes. This sculpture is published in the 4th volume of the collection.