An oak group of the Presentation of Mary in the Temple Netherlandish, late 16th century The figures set within a classical architectural background with the child Mary being led up the steps, mounted on a later painted moulded plinth, 34.5cm wide, 14cm deep, 41.5cm high (13 1/2in wide, 5 1/2in deep, 16in high) (size including plinth base) Footnotes: Provenance With Jan Dirven, Eindhoven, 1981. Private collection, North Brabant. Sotheby's, London, Old Master Sculpture and Works of Art, 9 July 2015, lot 59, where acquired According to the Protoevangelium of James, Joachim and Anne were elderly and childless and vowed to dedicate their child to God should they be blessed with one. When Mary reached the age of three, they brought her to the Temple in Jerusalem to fulfil their vow, where she remained throughout her early childhood in devotion to God. For a comparable Netherlandish oak group of the Presentation of the Child Mary in the Temple, carved in relief see Sotheby's, London, The Oak And Country Sale, 25 April 2007, lot 50. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing