Relief ‘Nativity’, marble, Florence, 15th century

Relief in marble, Nativity. The recumbent Child is seen in the lower left corner of the relief in front of the manger, behind which appear the heads of the Ox and the Ass. In the right foreground is the seated figure of St. Joseph. The Virgin kneels in the right centre of the composition in the left profile, before the stable which can be seen in the background in the right. In the left background are two summarily indicated hills and above them an eight pointed star. The relief is enclosed in a wooden gilt frame supported by four caryatids.

Bequeathed by Reginald Dyson

Bequeathed by Mr Reginald Dyson, previously exhibited on loan (11/05/25 till 17/11/30).

There is no record of the history of this relief prior to its appearance as the property of Mr J.P Heseltine in the 1912 exhibition of Italian Sculpture at the Burlington Fine Arts Club. A Statement by the testator that the relief was also exhibited at the Royal Academy (Winter Exhibition 1888) is incorrect, and no entry corresponding with the present relief appears in the catalogue. The relief was acquired by the testator from Messrs, Spero in 1924 or 1925. Described without comment in the Burlington Fine Arts Club catalogue as 'Florentine; late fifteenth century'.

This relief in marble represents the Nativity Scene. The baby Jesus is seen lying on straw in the lower corner of the manger while St Joseph sits on the right. The Virgin Mary is shown kneeling to the right centre of the composition before the stable which can be seen in the background on the right.

This relief is thought to be the work of the Italian sculptor Domenico Rosselli who is best known for his work on the friezes, sculpted doorways and decorative fireplaces in the Ducal Palace in Urbino.

A.7-1943