At the beginning of the 20th century the carving disappeared from the town of Salinas Ibargoiti (Navarre). It appeared in 1929 at an art market in New York. It was purchased by the wife of a wealthy Minnesota businessman and will be auctioned in New York on January 26. Emilio Quintanilla, a member of the Miguel Etxauri Foundation, said that they will try to bring the sculpture to Pamplona.

The carving is composed of gold wood, 90 centimeters high, dating from the 13th century and representing the Virgin Mary and Jesus. The owners have kept it in Minnesota so far and have decided to sell it at a public auction through Sotheby’s.

The experts have appreciated the artistic quality of the size and think that it was of great importance on their day. It is not yet known who commissioned the sculpture. But they explain that only the Cathedral and/or monasteries of Pamplona could pay for this type of work.

The Miguel Etxauri Foundation has announced that if it manages to recover the size, it will display it in its premises in the Old Town of Pamplona. In addition, he is willing to leave the sculpture to the people of Salinas Ibargoiti for a while.

UPN spokeswoman Cristina Altuna has asked the Government of Navarre to buy the size. Those responsible for the historical heritage have responded that this service is not available to them.