BURGUNDIAN OR RHENISH, FIRST HALF 14TH CENTURY

The raised decoration of the Virgin's gown and the extensive gilding and polychromy evident on the present group serve as a reminder that most of the cold grey stone from which these figures were carved was never intended to be seen, as it usually is today.

Although, in its general arrangement, this group conforms to a well-known type, there are significant differences in many of the details, particularly in the depiction of the Christ Child. Conventionally, the Virgin holds Christ in one hand, leaving the other hand free to hold a sceptre or lily. Here, she draws Christ's legs across her own body, in a protective gesture.