Live Auction 2818European Noble and Private Collections
A CARVED PALMWOOD GROUP OF THE CRUCIFIXION
Lot 429 The property of Fürst zu Stolberg-Wernigerode, Schloss Wernigerode
(lots 407-447)

A CARVED PALMWOOD GROUP OF THE CRUCIFIXION

BY JOHANN BENEDIKT WITZ (1709-1780), MID 18TH CENTURY

Closed1 April 2009

Price Realised

EUR 39,400

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A CARVED PALMWOOD GROUP OF THE CRUCIFIXION
BY JOHANN BENEDIKT WITZ (1709-1780), MID 18TH CENTURY
Depicting the Christ and the two thieves crucified, the Virgin, Magdalene and Saint John beside the Cross, a centurion holding the bitter sponge, others centurions standing on Christ left side, all standing on rocky Golgotha carved on C-scrolls and rockwork, on a later base plinth, signed WITZ, with label to the back inscribed Feudalmuseum Schloss Wernigerode Staatliches Museum
64 cm. high x 53 cm. wide

Specialist note

This imposing crucifixtion group is a strong example of South German wood carving. With its finely carved figures and the detailed scenery this lot shows the superb craftmanship of Johann Benedikt Witz. A smaller group by Witz was recently sold at Neumeister, lot 1132, 3 December 2008. For comparable groups see also H.-P. Trenschel, Fränkische Kleinplastik des Rokoko, Johann Benedikt Witz (1709-1780), Würzburg, 1980.