Virgin and Child
- Object:
Relief
- Place of origin:
England, Great Britain (made)
- Date:
15th century (made)
- Artist/Maker:
Unknown (production)
- Materials and Techniques:
Alabaster
- Museum number:
A.52-1932
- Gallery location:
In Storage
This thick heavy panel is from the side of a tomb. It is divided into three compartments , which are separated by vertical mouldings. The compartment of the Virgin and Child is wider than the other two and may therefore originally have been the cntral panel of five. The crowned Virgin, wearing a tight fitting gown and a cloak over her shoulders and knees, is enthroned on the left. She holds the Christ Child with her right hand. He looks up at her face as he stands on her knee with his left leg bent. His right foot rests on the back of the throne. He wears a loose gown and holds in his left hand a bird, probably a goldfinch, symbolic of Christ's Passion. They other panels contain depictions of St Margaret and an unidentified female saint.
