Romanesque Madonna and Child

The late Spanish Romanesque / early Gothic period bench carved Madonna and Child sculpture was shaped from the heart of a walnut trunk roughly six to eight hundred years ago. The artisan carver who sculpted this effigy roughed out the entire figure, including the crown and drapery from the same block of walnut. As was customary during this period, a back cavity was hollowed to lessen the weight and reduce the likelihood of any potential future wood checks, cracks or splits. The finish layers include natural flesh tones, natural ultramarine lapis (used in the 12th, 13th, 14th centuries) and gold leaf over gypsum.

Dimensions: 18 inches x 6 inches x 5.25 inches.

Condition notes: scattered losses throughout, age cracks and checking, craquelure.

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