Plaque with the Virgin in Mourning

Art Historical Context

This delicate *Plaque with the Virgin in Mourning crafted by an unknown Catalan artist in the 14th century, captures the profound sorrow of the Virgin Mary lamenting her son’s crucifixion—a poignant theme central to medieval Christian devotion. Measuring just under 2 inches square, its diminutive size belies its emotional depth, making it ideal for personal piety, perhaps worn as a pendant or placed on an altar. The plaque exemplifies *basse taille* enamel, a sophisticated Gothic technique where the silver base is intricately engraved with low-relief designs. Translucent enamels are then fuse...