Panel with Virgin and Child with Angels

Art Historical Context

This delicate ivory panel, created in the 19th century in a medieval European style, depicts the Virgin Mary tenderly holding the Christ Child, surrounded by angels. Carved from ivory and set within a silver and wood frame, the small devotional object measures just over five inches tall. Though produced long after the Middle Ages, it echoes the refined craftsmanship of earlier ivory carvings that were treasured in churches and private chapels across Europe. During the 19th century, artists and collectors revived interest in medieval art forms, and ivory panels like this one reflect that Gothic Revival spirit. The medium itself carries deep historical significance—ivory was prized in the Middle Ages for its luminous quality and ability to capture intricate details, often used for religious scenes meant to inspire prayer and contemplation. The Virgin and Child theme remained one of the most enduring subjects, symbolizing maternal love and divine protection. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Department of Medieval Art, this piece was generously gifted in 1890 by Sarah Lazarus in memory of Moses Lazarus. Its classification among ivories highlights how 19th-century makers honored and reinterpreted medieval techniques for new generations of viewers.