A Pair of Malines Alabaster Reliefs by Rombout Tissenaken (1540 – 1614)

Depicting The Last Supper and The Entombment of Christ

Late 16th or early 17th century

Both sculpted alabaster with partial gilding, each 9.8 x 12.6 cm; contained in the original partially giltwood and ‘pastiglia’ frames decorated with interlacing motifs, outer dimensions 20.2 x 22.5 x 1.8 cm

Both signed with monogram ‘RT’ the letters around the distinctive anchor (lower centre)

Provenance: private collection, The Netherlands*

This is an exceptional pair of alabaster sculpted reliefs in the original frames, by the Malines artist Rombout Tissenaken (1514 – 1614). Malines (or Mechelen) in Flanders, located between Antwerp and Brussels, was a centre for such carvings during the period. For discussions on monogrames: Exposition de Sculptures anglaises et malinoises d'Albatre Musees royaux d'Art et d'Histoire, Brussels, 28 Sep-5 Nov 1967. pp.50-63.

Both reliefs and frames are in very good condition, apart from a few cracks in the alabaster and some very small losses to the frames.