
May one see it?
London, United Kingdom
On public display.
The Virgin stands frontally on the crescent moon, supporting the Child who lies across her arms on a white cloth which he holds with his right hand. Her head is slightly inclined towards the infant Jesus.The shape of the crescent moon would not have provided sufficient stability for the figure to be placed in an altarpiece. In addition, the two rectangular iron bars, along with relatively large holes in the head and at the base of the crescent moon, and the elaborate carved and gilded back of the Virgin, suggest that the figure was in fact suspended from the vault, probably framed within a circle of the rosary.
Victoria and Albert Museum