16th Century Flanders, Low Relief Carved Oak Panel, Adam And Eve Or The Original Sin

Oak panel carved in high relief depicting Adam and Eve picking the fruit from the Tree of the Science of Good and Evil.
In the center is the tree of forbidden fruit, around which is coiled the tempting serpent; on either side are Adam and Eve, depicted naked beneath an arcature of fluted pilasters surmounted by a pediment with the Latin inscription "DAT * SE * VAM * BOME * ETEN" (roughly: he gives himself to eat the fruit of the tree); flanked by two angel-headed masks.
Eve holds the fruit in her hand to offer it to Adam, while the serpent faces her (the serpent's head is damaged, as are some of its rings depicted around the tree trunk). The tree has two branches and its shaft suggests a figure, while what remains of the serpent's head could be a skull, signifying that the disobedience of our First Parents brought death to mankind; but I'm not sure about this last detail.
Beautifully executed details, notably the tree and its fruit, and the natural setting of the scene,
Flanders 16th century
Height: 26.3 cm - Width max. 24 cm

INFORMATION NOTE: This bas-relief was formerly (late 19th century) mounted on a strong walnut panel, cut to the shape of the motif without altering any of it. The back of the panel, which has undoubtedly been badly damaged by humidity, shows little or no wood thickness in the background around the figures. Certainly due to a lack of thickness, the background of the original panel has virtually disappeared in these areas. For this reason, you can see the lighter-colored walnut wood in places where the panel's weathered background has disappeared.
At present, the condition of this bas-relif is stable and secure, and there is no need to worry about its preservation.
My personal opinion is that this choice of consevation method has had no impact on the integrity of the object, which retains all its strength and character. For my part, I think it's very "interesting" to note that the relief motif has been spared by past centuries.

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