Haute Epoque, the French term given to early, largely pre-Renaissance, works of art, especially sculpture, featured in several Parisian sales in the winter high season.
Among them was the auction held at Drouot by Pierre Bergé et Associés (24/20.5/17% buyer’s premium) on November 29. Among a large selection of carvings in wood and stone, the top-seller proved to be this early 16th century limestone architectural element.
The 20in (53cm) high bracket or corbel support is carved with a bawdy scene representing Lust, traditionally seen as one of the seven deadly sins.