The principal pieces were the two altar surrounds seen right, parcel-gilt and painted Gothic Revival works with an overall height of 13ft 6in (4.11m) that depict scenes from the life of Mary and Joseph. Acting on behalf of a church that is to be built in northern California, one bidder secured them both for a total of $120,000 (£63,600).
$120,000 revival of Belgian altar fortunes
ALTAR surrounds and other architectural elements from a 19th century Belgian church proved one of the bigger attractions at a February 8 sale held by in Los Angeles by Bonhams & Butterfields – a sale titled ‘Revival of the Centuries’.
