Ivory Plaque with Enthroned Mother of God ("The Stroganoff Ivory")
Unknown Artist
950–1025
Medium
ivory
Dimensions
25.3 × 17.2 × 1.8 cm
Classification
Ivory
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of J. H. Wade
Accession Number
1925.1293
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
The Mother of God is seated on a lavishly carved, high-backed throne. Two angels hover above, drawing attention to the Christ child poised in her lap. Representations of the enthroned Virgin and Child have a long tradition in Byzantine art, stretching back as far as the 6th century. With one hand raised in blessing, the other holding a scroll, Christ is portrayed here as an emotionless and supernatural child, visualizing for the pious beholder the mystery of his incarnation.