Ivory Plaque with Enthroned Mother of God ("The Stroganoff Ivory")
Unknown Artist
950–1025
Medium
ivory
Dimensions
25.3 × 17.2 × 1.8 cm
Classification
Ivory
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of J. H. Wade
Accession Number
1925.1293
About this artwork
The Mother of God is seated on a lavishly carved, high-backed throne. Two angels hover above, drawing attention to the Christ child poised in her lap. Representations of the enthroned Virgin and Child have a long tradition in Byzantine art, stretching back as far as the 6th century. With one hand raised in blessing, the other holding a scroll, Christ is portrayed here as an emotionless and supernatural child, visualizing for the pious beholder the mystery of his incarnation.