With Heim Gallery, circa 1980s

Overall, the condition of the reliefs is very good, with minor dirt and wear to the surfaces consistent with age. The marbles retain their original finely polished surfaces. The lower edge of the relief with the little girl is reattached in several sections and there is a visible loss to the bottom at the centre. There are various small chips to the edges. There are various dirt residues, including brown dirt residue to the edge of the relief with the girl. There are some blue-green residues to the surfaces of the reliefs. There is naturally occurring veining to the marble consistent with the material, in particular to the chests of the children to the bottoms of the reliefs, including flecks of metallic veining. There are various small mount holes to the backs of the reliefs.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

These intriguing marble reliefs were once attributed to the Antwerp sculptor Ambroise Galle who died in 1755 and who was responsible for the Table de communion in Antwerp Cathedral. Stylistically, with their open mouthed expressions, chubby cheeks and flowing hair (the girl's tied with fillets), they accord with this dating and recall the sculpture of Jan Pieter van Baurscheit I (1668-1728) and his son Jan Pieter van Baurscheit II (1699-1768), both of whom were active in Antwerp in the first half of the 18th century. Compare with the Group of Three Children: The Lovers' Quarrel by the elder Baurscheit in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam (inv. no. R.B.K. 1967-19). 

RELATED LITERATURE
C. Theuerkauff (ed.), Europäische Barockplastik am Niederrhein: Grupello und seine Zeit, exh. cat.🎀 Kunstmuseum D🐲üsseldorf, Düsseldorf, 1971, pp. 261-262, no. 194, fig. 143a