Throne of Wisdom

French, 1150-1200
Oak, gesso, polychromy, linen, 31 in. tall (78.7 cm.)
Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 16.32.194

The museum's online note states that originally the child in this sculpture was holding a book. That would make it a completely typical example of the genre in the 12th century: Mary seated on a throne, the Christ Child sitting on her lap and holding a book; both figures looking directly toward the viewer, calm but unsmiling.

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Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City