Reliquary Bust of One of Saint Ursula's Virgins

While reliquary busts of Saint Ursula's Virgins with a compartment opening at the top of the head abounded in Cologne around 1350, half-length figures with arms and sealed heads were more rare. The present reliquary relates to one in the Schnütgen Museum, Cologne (inv. no. A 974), which exhibits similarly broad features and the same staccato treatment of the hair at the back. This statue is part of the Old Master Sculpture & Works of Art Sale on the 6th of July at Sotheby's London.