"Seat of Wisdom (Sedes Sapientiae)" Carved and polychromed wooden sculpture. Catalan [...]

"Seat of Wisdom (Sedes Sapientiae)" Carved and polychromed wooden sculpture. Catalan School. Romanesque – Gothic. Circa 1300.The sculpture can be dated to the late Romanesque period, and Mary´s hieratic and severe face is testament to this, as is the position of the Christ Child, very slightly off centre, and not touching the mother, who forms a throne for the Child. However, certain details such as the lightly pointed feet which protrude from under Mary´s dress, or the fact that she is about to clothe the Child in a cloak, with a maternal gesture, are more typical of the beginning of the Gothic period. The Madonna is seated on a queen´s throne, she wears a tunic, a cloak and a headdress and crown. Provenance: Private collection. Catalonia. The sculpture has been in the same collection since the early 20th century. 67 x 35 x 17 cm.