Sedes Sapientiae

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Sedes Sapientiae
England; 2nd half 12th c.

A Romanesque enthroned the and Child is depicted as the Seat of Holy Wisdom (Sedes Sapientiae). The austere Virgin in frontal view sits rigidly on a small low stool decorated on both sides with schematically depicted monster heads. The Madonna's dress is interesting. A tightened belt around her waist separates the different parts of the drapery. Wide tubular folds fall rigidly down to the waist, below which the dress falls less evenly.