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

pendant 1100s; frame mid-1300s
(frame)
steatite, gilt silver, pearls
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.)
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1951.445
Location: 105 Byzantine
Public Domain
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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.
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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