19th century hand carved, polychrome and gilt wood figure of the Virgin Mary and Child. Fully carved in the round with the Virgin Mary holding the sceptre in her right hand and the baby Jesus holding the ‘Globus Cruciger’. The cross is representative of Christ and his sacrifice, while the orb represents the world. Together, they symbolize the triumph of Christ over the world. Both the heads of the Virgin Mary and Child are adorned with their original crowns. Likely French.
The Globus Cruciger has been a Christian symbol of authority since the Middle Ages, used on coins, in iconography, and with a sceptre as royal regalia.
