Back to gallery

The Virgin and Child

Ivory

Byzantine Empire (probably Constantinople)

1000-1100

 

The only known Byzantine ivory statuette of the Virgin and Child carved in the round, this probably was housed in a winged tabernacle. It shows a popular image type known as Theotokos Hodegetria (the Mother of God showing the way) because she gestures toward Jesus, the source of salvation.

 

Metropolitan Museum of Art

NYC

2,010 views
2 faves
0 comments
Uploaded on May 19, 2008