Statuette group lot and his daughters, wood Netherlandish ca. 1525-50.

Statuette group representing Lot and his daughters in boxwood. To the right seated on grass covered rocky ground is Lot's daughter; she is dressed in an elaborate robe with full skirt, worked corsage and long puffed sleeves. The curling hair is brought in plaited ringlets over her years. She looks upwards to the left at her father who is about to seat himself beside her, he wears a full cloak with scalloped border, high embroidered boots, and elaborate Jewish turbaned headdress, the beard in ringlets. The figures appear originally to have their arms round each others shoulders. Lot's right forearm stretched towards his daughter and her left hand have been broken off.

This boxwood statuette group representing Lot and one of his daughters was probably made in Netherlands or Lower Rhineland in about 1525-50. Such decorative carvings intended for both aristocratic and merchant customers were being produced from about 1520 onwards by Netherlandish workshops which had formerly carved wooden altarpieces. Although the subject is from the Old Testament, it shares with themes such as the Judgement of Paris an erotic quality that made it a common choice for inclusion in private 'cabinets of curiosities'.

A.91-1930