Simon Troger

(1683 - München, 1768)

Attributed to

limewood and elephant ivory carving (Elephas maximus Linnaeus, 1758 or Loxodonta africana Blumenbach, 1797), carved in the round to depict figures of beggars.
The figures, skillfully carved, portray two characters dressed in tattered clothing, a clear sign of the economic hardship and poverty of the subjects represented. The ivory carvings highlight the anatomical details and facial expressions, conveying a strong pathos that makes these pieces particularly realistic and moving.
The male figure and the female figure, shown holding a child, are carved with remarkable attention to detail, as evidenced by their poses, hands, and worn-out clothing, which communicate the sense of suffering and social hardship embodied by these figures. The contrast between the dark wood and the light ivory creates a visually evocative composition, emphasizing the exposed areas of skin through a refined play of chiaroscuro.

In the context of the 18th century, representations of beggars or figures from the lower social classes also had moral and educational significance, evoking religious themes of charity and compassion. These sculptures, therefore, may have held not only aesthetic value but also a didactic or symbolic purpose, inviting the viewer to reflect on the fragility of the human condition.
The two sculptures are characteristic of the work of the Tyrolean sculptor Simon Troger (1683–1768) or his circle.
Troger, originally from Tyrol, after an apprenticeship in the regional capital Innsbruck, opened a flourishing workshop in Munich around 1726, attracting several royal clients who were fascinated by the rare skill of the Tyrolean master in sculpting a difficult and precious material like ivory, combined with virtuoso wood carving.
His works are designed to evoke realistic and highly expressive figures, representative of an era when art sought to capture and convey social and spiritual realities.
Under the patronage of Elector Maximilian III Joseph of Bavaria (1727–1777), Troger became one of the most renowned ivory sculptors of his time, receiving commissions from many European courts. He also produced numerous monumental works, such as the famous group preserved in the Palazzo Madama in Turin, composed of the Sacrifice of Isaac and the Judgment of King Solomon, each over two meters tall, depicting biblical, mythological, and popular scenes, including beggars and street musicians.
His works are held in prestigious private and public collections, such as the Hermitage Museum, Dresden, Vienna, and Munich, among others, confirming the artistic importance of his production.

Height x width x depth: 24.5 x 9 x 9 cm. Weight: 255 g.
Height x width x depth: 25 x 9 x 8.5 cm. Weight: 300 g.

This lot, accompanied by a CITES certificate and expertise issued by Ce.S.Ar Centro studi archeometici, is only available for sale with shipments within the European Union.