Virgen en majestad (Sedes Sapientiae). Escultura... Lot n° 21

Seat of Wisdom (Sedes Sapientiae). Carved and polychromed wooden sculpture. Catalonia. Romanesque. 13th century. Mary, facing forwards, is seated on her seat of wisdom, richly carved and polychromed. She holds the Child on her left knee and supports Him with her left hand. She wears a short veil, a tunic cinched at the waist, with polychrome residue in green tones with gilded rhombuses with a flower in the centre. A cloak, polychromed in red tones with gilded rhombuses with a flower in the centre, falls from her shoulders to her feet. The Child is giving blessing, although the right hand is missing, and He holds the Holy Scriptures in His left hand. Mary´s right arm is missing. 66 x 30 x 21 cm. This Seat of Wisdom can, in our opinion, be placed stylistically among the Matadars, or Gers sculptures, although they are from a slightly later period, as indicated in the catalogue. The physiognomy of Mary, as well as the architectural form of the throne which she sits on, are elements which point to Matadars or Gers. Bibliography: "Imaginería Medieval en la colección de escultura Ricart" (Medieval imagery in the Ricart sculpture collection) . Barcelona, 1955, Cat. no. 17.