Antique Walnut Relief – Tobias and the Angel – Southern Netherlands, ca. 1600

A piece of European art history, carved from one of the finest woods for sculpture.

This remarkable antique walnut relief depicts the biblical scene of Tobias and the Archangel Raphael. The winged angel is central, while the young Tobias is shown beside him. The richly folded robes, large wings, and expressive poses are carved into the wood with a great sense of relief and play of light.

Stylistically, the relief is placed in the Southern Netherlands around 1600, a period in which the late Gothic sculptural tradition gradually transitioned into the Renaissance. This transition is particularly palpable in this type of religious wood carving: the figures are powerful and somewhat stylized, while the attention to movement, anatomy, and the natural rendering of clothing is increasingly pronounced.

Tobias and the Angel

The scene is based on the story of Tobias and the Archangel Raphael from the Book of Tobit. During his journey, Tobias is accompanied by Raphael, who protects him and helps him during his adventures. The story was a popular subject in Christian art during the Middle Ages and the early modern period.

The angel was often depicted as a protective and accompanying figure. Here too, Raphael is recognizable by his impressive wings. Tobias stands beside him with his hands folded across his chest, giving the composition a clear vertical structure.

Southern Netherlandish Sculpture

The Southern Netherlands was an important center for religious sculpture in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Cities such as Antwerp and other centers in Brabant and Flanders developed a strong tradition of carved wooden sculptures and reliefs.

Walnut was a popular material for refined sculpture. The wood is easy to work and also has a warm, deep color. In this relief, that is beautifully expressed in the dark patina and the different levels of carving.

The treatment of the wings, clothing folds, and hair creates a strong interplay between high and low relief. When the light falls obliquely on the surface, the details stand out particularly beautifully.

A Remarkable Object for a Historic Interior

With a size of 23 × 20 cm, the relief is large enough to be presented as a standalone art object, while still being easily placed in a cabinet, on a stand, or on the wall.

The old patina, the warm walnut wood, and the visible signs of age give the piece a character that is difficult to match with modern decorative wood carving. It is an object for lovers of old art, religious art, wood carving, and historical curiosities.

The relief is unsigned. The dating and provenance are therefore based on the style, subject, execution, and material used. It is carefully placed in the Southern Netherlands, around 1600.

Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is depicted?
The scene shows the young Tobias together with the Archangel Raphael, his protective companion during his journey.

How old is this relief?
The relief is stylistically dated to around 1600 and placed in the Southern Netherlands. It dates from a period in which the late Gothic tradition transitioned into the Renaissance.

Why was walnut wood used?
Walnut was highly suitable for refined sculpture. The wood is relatively easy to work and naturally has a warm, dark color that can develop a beautiful patina with age.

Is the relief signed?
No, the relief is unsigned. The dating and provenance are therefore based on the stylistic characteristics, the material, and the execution.

Can the relief be hung?
The object has a rectangular shape and can be presented as a wall object. The relief also looks very beautiful on a suitable stand.

Are the signs of age normal?
Yes. For a wooden relief of this age, discoloration, minor signs of use, signs of dryness, and other signs of age are not unusual. These contribute to the authentic character of the object.

For which collectors is this interesting?
The relief is interesting for lovers of Southern Netherlandish art, old wood carving, religious art, Renaissance art, and historical decorative arts.

In summary, this is an impressive small monument of old sculpture. Over four centuries old, carved from warm walnut wood, and depicting a scene that has inspired artists for centuries. A distinctive art object in which religious history and craftsmanship come together.