Boxwood relief of the Virgin & Child

A boxwood and tortoiseshell relief of the Virgin and Child with John the Baptist from the circle of Mattheus van Beveren.

Mattheus van Beveren (1635/6 - 1696) was a Flemish sculptor and medalist who is mainly known for his monumental Baroque church sculptures and small wood and ivory sculptures. He also made medals and die designs for the Antwerp Mint.

Flemish, last quarter of the 17th century.

The relief measures 17 x 8 x 5cm, the frame measures 34.5 x 23 x 6.5cm.

The Virgin can be seen seated amongst clouds with the young Christ child upon her knee and Saint John the Baptist with the Lamb of God to her left. The Christ child blesses with one hand, the other hand on an orb representing the world, an image of Christ commonly referred to as Salvator Mundi or Christ as the saviour of the world. The fine relief is set on a lobed tortoiseshell veneered wooden frame, surrounded by winged putti.