Statuette, bone, the Virgin and Child, Sicilian, ca. 1925

Statuette in bone, Virgin and Child. The Virgin who has long straight hair is seated on a throne which has floral decoration at the side. She has a flat circular halo, and holds the naked Christ Child on her left knee; in her right hand an apple. On the front of the integral base is a relief of a reclining figure, perhaps Jesse. On the left side is a relief of three walking figures, two adults holding a child's hand, probably St. Joseph, the Virgin and the Christ Child. On the right side of the base is a relief of a guardian angel and a child and on the back is what might be a representation of the Virgin and Child ioon a rocky landscape, also in relief. Black ink or mastic has been rubbed into parts of the carving to emphasise the definition of the forms. The natural hollow of the bone is visible underneath the base, and the whole stands on a flat rectangular bone plaque.

Given by Philip A.S. Phillips Esq., Stanmore Court, 29 St Jame's Street, London, in 1926.

This statuette representing the Virgin and Child was made ca. 1925 in Sicily.
It is an example of early twentieth-century folk art. The donor bought the figure from the peasant in Sicily who had made it. The donor was about to trace the name of the peasant, which unfortunately never happened.

A.23-1926