A PAIR OF EARLY 16TH CENTURY GERMAN (FRANCONIAN) CARVED AND POLYCHROME DECORATED LIMEWOOD FIGURES OF THE VIRGIN AND SAINT JOHN carved in relief with flat backs, the Virgin with hands held in prayer, her drapery falling in complex folds and concealing her feet, John with his right hand in blessing, traces of original polychrome and gilding, John's tunic and halo originally gilded with punched decoration, both raised on integrally carved, naturalistic bases, both figures freestanding, the Virgin 72cm high, John 70cm high These figures were once part of a large Crucifixion altarpiece.The style of carving, decoration and use of limewood are all typical of the large figural altarpieces produced in large numbers in Franconian workshops during the late 15th and early 16th centuries. See Sotheby's, London, 7 July 2006, lot 53 for a similar mourning Virgin produced during this period.   Related Literature:  M. Baxandall, 'The Limewood Sculptors of Renaissance Germany', Yale University Press, London, 2008