Lot 2218 Dα

Anglo-Norman 12th century

An Anglo-Norman 12th century carved sandstone relief of the Virgin enthroned

Only worked on the display side, the remaining sides left rough. Minimal remains of blue and red pigment from former polychromy. This relief depicts the Virgin sitting enthroned with the Christ Child in Her lap beneath a Romanesque arch. Beside the Virgin's body, between the figures' heads, and all along the twisting columns of the thrones we see small drilled indentations which presumably would have originally held decorative appliqués. By repute, this relief, which displays a strong resemblance to contemporary manuscript painting, supposedly originates from Yorkshire.
Wear throughout. Mounted on a modern wooden plinth. 24 x 25 x 8 cm (without plinth).