Seat of wisdom (Sedes Sapientiae) Carved, polychromed... Lot 36

Seat of wisdom (Sedes Sapientiae) Carved, polychromed and gilded wooden sculpture. Gothic. Circa 1300. The Madonna sits on her throne of glory, wearing a short veil and a crown. She wears a tunic cinched with a belt and a cloak falls from her shoulders to the floor, forming gothic folds. In her right hand she holds the globus cruciger, and in her lap the Christ Child is sitting in an attractive posture, with crossed legs, resting a hand on a knee. Now far from the rigid and severe hieratic canon, it is in the Gothic period that the Virgin Mary comes into her own, sculpted, especially, with the Christ Child. She is depicted, as in this case, as a young Virgin – Mother, idealised, with a sweet expression, smiling, lovingly holding the Christ Child in her arms, showing great humanity. The polychrome and gilding was refreshed in the 16th century. Height: 58 cm.