Pendant Icon with the Virgin "Dexiokratousa"

The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Pendant Icon with the Virgin "Dexiokratousa" as glyptic (Byzantium, Byzantine period, 12th century · 1100s).

WHY IT’S INTERESTING

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.

SERENDIPITYA little unexpected

FamiliarWeird

A CLOSER LOOK

The museum identifies this glyptic as steatite, gilt silver, pearls.

The museum's collection notes: 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.

FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE

The Cleveland Museum of ArtPendant Icon with the Virgin "Dexiokratousa"

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