Artwork Page for Pendant Icon with the Virgin "Dexiokratousa" and Frame with Winged Bull of Saint Luke on the back

Details / Information for Pendant Icon with the Virgin "Dexiokratousa" and Frame with Winged Bull of Saint Luke on the back

Pendant Icon with the Virgin "Dexiokratousa" and Frame with Winged Bull of Saint Luke on the back

pendant 1100s; frame mid-1300s

Byzantium (pendant); Germany, Aachen (frame), Byzantine period, 12th century (pendant); Byzantine period, 14th century

(frame)
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Medium
steatite, gilt silver, pearls
Measurements
Overall: 6.8 x 6.3 x 1.6 cm (2 11/16 x 2 1/2 x 5/8 in.); Chain: 13.6 cm (5 3/8 in.)
Credit Line
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1951.445
Public Domain
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Location
105 Byzantine
Print

Description

This small-scale Byzantine icon depicts a half-length figure of the Virgin holding the Christ child. When the icon was mounted in its present frame by a German artist in the 14th century, it was considered to be an authentic portrait painted by Saint Luke. This claim, made in an inscription on the frame, is further emphasized by the ox, Saint Luke’s symbol, engraved on the frame’s reverse.
A gilt silver and steatite pendant features a light green stone carving of the Virgin Mary holding the Christ child on our left. Both figures have circular halos. Mary faces forward while the child looks toward her. An arched silver frame inscribed with angular text and accented with white pearls surrounds the carving. Small metal shapes project from the frame, and a chain is attached to the top.

Pendant Icon with the Virgin "Dexiokratousa" and Frame with Winged Bull of Saint Luke on the back

pendant 1100s; frame mid-1300s

Byzantium (pendant); Germany, Aachen (frame), Byzantine period, 12th century (pendant); Byzantine period, 14th century (frame)

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