Ivory Plaque with Virgin Mary as a Personification of the Church in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, January 2008

Ivory Plaque with the Virgin Mary as a Personification of the Church
Carolingian
Carved 800-480

Accession # 17.190.49

The spindles in Mary's right hand often appear as depictions of the Annunciation, as she receives the news that she will bear the Christ child. The military appearance of her costume and the cross-topped scepter she holds suggests that she could also be understood here as a personification of the Church Triumphant. The curious juxtaposition of the figure of Mary as the Virgin Mother of Christ and as the Church is unique to this ivory plaque.

Text from the Metropolitan Museum of Art label.