Virgin and Child

Timor-Leste, 19th century
Wood
Asian Civilisations Museum [2009-01529]

The Virgin stands with Christ shown as a young boy, rather than the more common infant. The image is reminiscent of depictions of the Throne of Wisdom common in Europe around 1200. The sculptor might have modelled his work on a book illustration of the subject.

But the image of the Christ on the lap of the Virgin might have confused the carver. His solution was to place Christ, standing, on a small mound or stone in front of Mary. The garments loosely resemble those in Throne of Wisdom images, lending support to the theory that the image was based on a Western model.