Early Byzantine Mosaic of the Virgin Mary

She hold a pearl in her right hand. The pearl, as the 'most precious jewel,' was used as a symbol of salvation. 

 

Early Byzantine I, 5th - 6th C. AD

 

Height: 84.45 cm.     (33 1/4 in.)

Width: 80.01 cm.     (31 1/2 in.)

Ex: a private collection, New York, acquired prior to 1973; Mrs Renee Beningson (d. 2006), New York, acquired from the above in 1987; Thence by descent to Ms. Robin Beningson, founder and director of Antiquarium, Ltd., New York, 2006.

 

(#5300)

 

Exhibited: 

BRAFA Art Fair. (Brussels, 26 Jan- 2 Feb 2020) 

 

 

Published: 

Antiquarium Ltd.; Ancient Treasures XIII (New York, 2015) p.33

 

 

 

Comparandum:

Fiema, Zbigniew, T. et al; The Petra Church (Amman, 2001) pp.307, 319-323