Strong interest from private collectors attracted by moderate prices has fired up this market
Once considered rarefied and expensive, medieval sculpture is one of the niche markets that have been reinvigorated as rocketing prices for Old Masters and modern and contemporary art encourage collectors to look around for better value. ‘The last five years has seen a lot of new interest for wood and stone sculpture’, says London dealer Sam Fogg. ‘Museums are still buying, but it is really new private collectors, particularly from Europe, that have made the market dynamic.’ Whereas in the past medieval sculpture was thought of as museum material or as something to be incorporated into period interiors, Fogg says that collectors now realise that it can be more versatile. ‘People have discovered that it looks great in modern homes, exhibited in the same way as a contemporary sculpture.’ A good example is on offer in Fogg’s winter exhibition, A Lamentation Group by Hans Schnatterpeck
Yup.
Medieval sculpture, especially displaying the Christian legend is becoming very popular. I was in Michigan over the new years, and visited an American family that had some amazing pieces at home. Pricey!
