Bas-relief Plaque - Miniature - Philippe Le Bon In Armor, Duke Of Burgundy - Haute Epoque

End of the 16th century - Haute Epoque Germany or Austria Superb bas-relief plaque in carved wood (Walnut), representing Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, in armor. The finely detailed character wears sumptuous armor typical of the high nobility of the 15th century. The portrait in profile shows great mastery of sculpture, with precise and expressive details. On the armor we can see heraldry similar to that of the bronze statue of Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, at the tomb of Emperor Maximilian I in Innsbruck. Finely sculpted by hand, this work illustrates the art and know-how of Renaissance sculptors. Philip the Good, known for his efforts to strengthen the house of Valois-Burgundy and modernize the administration of its vast territories, is represented here in all his majesty. His reign marked a period of transition and consolidation for the duchy, with strategic alliances, notably through his marriages and his diplomatic actions. History of Philippe le Bon Philippe le Bon (1396-1467) was one of the most influential Dukes of Burgundy of the House of Valois. Born in Dijon, Burgundy, he was the son of John the Fearless and Marguerite of Bavaria. Philippe became Duke of Burgundy in 1419 after the assassination of his father and led a policy of expansion and strengthening of Burgundian territories. Marriages and Alliances 1. Michelle de Valois: • In 1409, Philippe married Michelle de Valois, daughter of King Charles VI of France. This marriage strengthened ties with the French crown. 2. Bonne d’Artois: • In 1424, Philippe married Bonne d’Artois. This marriage, although short due to Bonne's premature death, strengthened ties with the powerful counts of Artois. 3. Isabella of Portugal: • In 1430, Philip married Isabella of Portugal, which brought crucial alliances and consolidated his power in Europe. The Order of the Golden Fleece The Order of the Golden Fleece is a chivalric order founded by Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, on January 10, 1430, on the occasion of his marriage to Isabella of Portugal. This order aimed to promote chivalry and Christian values, as well as to strengthen ties between the nobles of its territories. Reforms and Contributions Philip the Good is often nicknamed “the great duke of the West” because of his influence and his vast territorial possessions. His reign is marked by important reforms: • Administrative reforms: • Philippe modernized the administration of the duchy by instituting reforms to strengthen central power while respecting regional particularities. • Territorial consolidation: • Through strategic marriages and political alliances, he managed to expand and consolidate Burgundian possessions, thus laying the foundations of a powerful Burgundian state. Death and Legacy Philip the Good died in 1467 in Bruges. His reign left a lasting legacy, notably through his son, Charles the Bold, who continued his work of expansion and consolidation. This plaque, representing Philip the Good in armor, is a precious testimony to the art and history of the Burgundian and European Renaissance. Please note: good condition. On the back, wax seal and paper label with handwritten text in German Gothic fraktur. Comparative iconography: • Molinier, Émile, General history of the arts applied to industry from the 5th to the end of the 18th century. Furniture of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, II, Paris, E. Lévy, 1897, p. 205. • Sauzay, Alexandre, Notice of sculpted wood, terracotta, marble, alabaster, sandstone, painted miniatures, wax miniatures and various objects, Paris, Ch. de Mourgues Frères, 1864, B 202. Dimensions: • Height: 7 .5 cm • Width: 5.7 cm ALL DELIVERIES ARE MADE BY DHL EXPRESS ONLY!