Lot 10: LORENZO DI BICCI | A portable triptych showing the Madonna and Child enthroned with saints, with the Annunciation, Nativity, and Crucifixion depicted on the wings

tempera on panel, gold ground, pointed tops

central panel: 73.9 by 39.8 cm.; 29 by 15 5/8  in.<br />wings, each: 56.4 by 13.5 cm.; 22 1/8  by 5 1/2  in.

tempera on panel, gold ground, pointed tops

The following condition report is provided by Sarah Walden who is an external specialist and not an employee of Sotheby's: Lorenzo di Bicci. Triptych, the Madonna and Child with Saints, with the Nativity, the Crucifixion and the Annunciation, on the wings. This beautifully preserved triptych, made up of poplar panels, has remained structurally stable and is finely intact, evidently having had a calm historical background without atmospheric disturbance, and with minimal intervention. The gold leaf is unworn throughout, including in the fine tooling of the background, of the haloes and throughout, with the richly patterned drapery intricately decorated with shell gold detail. The Madonna's azurite robe has blackened as has almost always happened, given the effect of varnish on the pigment, but the other pigments can be seen immaculately preserved across the various brocaded drapery. Only the green copper resinate in the landscape of the Nativity has been mistakenly seen as old varnish, and removed. Just two small incidental damages can be seen in the central panel; a small area in St John the Baptist and in the hand of the Evangelist at lower right. The Annunciation is almost perfectly preserved, with just a little thinness in the wings of the angel, being more vulnerable over the gold leaf, while the Virgin Annunciate is complete and untouched throughout. The Crucifixion is also remarkably intact. This report was not done under laboratory conditions.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

Annunziata Berlincioni (according to an inscription on the reverse), by 1805;
Believed to have passed down by inheritance in the present owner's extended family since the late 19th century.