Bee Hi(s)story Antiques we are always looking for objects with a soul. Objects that are not perfect, but are marked by time and therefore tell a story that no modern factory can replicate. Our latest find is the ultimate example of this: a monumental, seventeenth-century oak Madonna and Child.
With its impressive height of eighty centimeters and a massive weight of nearly sixteen kilos, this statue is an appearance that immediately demands attention. But what is the story behind this mysterious ‘Queen of Heaven’, and why do her imperfections fit so perfectly into today's interior?
A Hidden History in the Low Countries
Our search for the style of this sculpture brings us back to the seventeenth century – the early Baroque in the Low Countries. In this turbulent period of European history, religious art changed rapidly. Large, public ecclesiastical commissions in the Northern Netherlands gave way to more subdued art, specifically intended for private chapels, large townhouses, and hidden clandestine churches.
For these atmospheric spaces and for private devotion, there was a constant demand for devotional images. Because these images within the Protestant Republic were not allowed to be too pompous or ostentatious, local woodcarvers often chose a subdued, robust style. Our Madonna, with her sleek royal crown and the finely carved face of a winged angel (a putto) on the base, breathes precisely that atmosphere of Northern European folk art from that intriguing period.
The Beauty of Imperfection: Pure Wabi-Sabi
Anyone who looks superficially at the image sees the scars of time. Mary's lower right arm is missing. The face and little arms of the Christ Child have worn away over the centuries. A deep, striking vertical shrinkage crack runs through the solid oak on the back.
In the past, restorers would immediately reach for the plaster and paint to repair this ‘damage’. Fortunately, we look at that very differently today. Within the wabi-sabi philosophy – the Japanese art of finding beauty in imperfection – these traces are precisely the most valuable element.
The deep shrinkage crack on the back is the ultimate proof that this sculpture was carved from a single, solid tree trunk. As the wood dried out over the centuries, the heartwood shifted and the tension found a way out. The worn-away details tell us that the sculpture has been touched, moved, and cherished for generations. These are not damages; they are the wrinkles of a three-hundred-year-old lived life.
From Church Relic to Interior Eyecatcher
In today's interior design world (think of the sober, rural, and minimalist styles of well-known designers), these kinds of early religious sculptures are immensely popular. Precisely because the original, bright layers of paint (polychromy) have largely disappeared, the raw, weathered texture of the oak wood is brought out beautifully.
Place such a monumental Madonna on a sleek, modern design column, or rather on a weathered noble sidetable against a limewash wall. The contrast created between old and new instantly gives a room warmth, depth, and a mysterious, serene character.
Health and Preservation of the Wood
At Hi(s)story Antiques, caring for our pieces is our top priority. The photos show the characteristic small woodworm holes. Although this is a natural part of antique oak, you naturally don’t want to introduce active woodworm into your home. We can reassure you: this Madonna has recently undergone professional gas treatment. The woodworm is guaranteed to be 100% inert and treated. The statue is therefore completely safe for your home and your other furniture!
Come and admire her
Starting today, this unique seventeenth-century masterpiece is officially in our online store. Due to its weight of 15.7 kg, we prefer not to ship it via regular mail, but you are very welcome to come and admire it by appointment in Geertruidenberg. The carved butt details and the putto pedestal are even more impressive in real life than in the photo.
What do you think of the wabi-sabi trend in antiques? Do you prefer to show the scars of history, or do you prefer perfectly restored pieces? Let us know in the comments below!
