Statue, Virgin and Child, late 15th century, Italy

Statue, painted terracotta. The Virgin whose head is covered in a veil, is shown in full face seated on a carved chair. With her left hand she supports the head of the Child, who sits on her lap holding a fruit in his left hand, with his right hand raised in the act of blessing. Her right hand is stretched across the body of the Child. The Virgin wears a blue cloak over a red dress with a white veil. Her hair and halo are gilt. The flesh parts are painted naturalistically, and the Child, whose hair is also gilt, waers a brownish yellow robe. with the infant Jesus seated in her lap. The group is in two parts, joined horizonatlly below the Child. Much of the colour is of comparatively recent date, but the gilding on the Child's hair above the right temple is original. It stands on a gilt and painted wood pedestal with leaf and dart mouldings.

Purchased in Florence (Bardini £693 15s 4d).

The Virgin Mary, whose head is covered with a veil is shown in full face seated on a carved chair. With her left hand she supports the head of the baby Jesus who sits on her lap holding a fruit in his left hand, with his right hand raised in the act of blessing. Her right hand is stretched across the body of the Child and the Virgin wears a blue cloak over a red dress with a white veil. Much of this colour is comparatively recent but the gilding on the Child's hair above the right temple is original.

85-1892