Reliquary Bust of One of Saint Ursula's Virgins

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Around 1350, numerous reliquary busts of Saint Ursula's Virgins with a compartment opening at the top of their heads flooded Cologne. However, half-length figures with arms and sealed heads were significantly less common. The current reliquary bears striking similarities to one housed in the Schnütgen Museum, Cologne (inventory number A 974), boasting equally broad features and the same distinctive treatment of hair at the back. This remarkable statue will be part of Sotheby's Old Master Sculpture & Works of Art Sale on July 6th in London.