MEDIEVAL ROMANESQUE 'SEAT OF WISDOM' STATUETTE 12th century AD A carved oolitic limestone statuette of Mary seated on a throne with the infant Jesus on her lap, an orb in Mary's right hand, a book in Jesus's left hand; Romanesque style, Spanish or French workmanship. 691 grams, 19cm (7 1/2"). Fine condition. Provenance Ex Zandwijk collection, previously in an old Dutch collection; acquired before 2001. Footnotes Mary was sometimes referred to in medieval literature as 'Sedes Sapientiae' (seat of wisdom), a reference to the throne of Solomon, which denotes her status as the carrier of the Holy Child. These seemingly straightforward images convey complex theological ideas. Christ, as the Son of God, is Wisdom incarnate. Mary, who carried Christ in her womb and who holds him on her lap serves as his seat, or throne. Christ also holds the Bible, a further representation of the divine wisdom that he himself embodies. From 12th century AD, Mary was increasingly revered as a nurturing, merciful intercessor and such statues were used as devotional objects, and were carried in church processions. Figures such as these were produced in the Auvergne region of central France during the second half of the 12th-century. The Auvergne Sedes Sapietiae are estimated to number only about twenty five or thirty known examples.
MEDIEVAL ROMANESQUE 'SEAT OF WISDOM' STATUETTE 12th century AD A carved oolitic limestone statuette of Mary seated on a throne with the infant Jesus on her lap, an orb in Mary's right hand, a book in Jesus's left hand; Romanesque style, Spanish or French workmanship. 691 grams, 19cm (7 1/2"). Fine condition. Provenance Ex Zandwijk collection, previously in an old Dutch collection; acquired before 2001. Footnotes Mary was sometimes referred to in medieval literature as 'Sedes Sapientiae' (seat of wisdom), a reference to the throne of Solomon, which denotes her status as the carrier of the Holy Child. These seemingly straightforward images convey complex theological ideas. Christ, as the Son of God, is Wisdom incarnate. Mary, who carried Christ in her womb and who holds him on her lap serves as his seat, or throne. Christ also holds the Bible, a further representation of the divine wisdom that he himself embodies. From 12th century AD, Mary was increasingly revered as a nurturing, merciful intercessor and such statues were used as devotional objects, and were carried in church processions. Figures such as these were produced in the Auvergne region of central France during the second half of the 12th-century. The Auvergne Sedes Sapietiae are estimated to number only about twenty five or thirty known examples.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
