PROPERTY FROM THE BENITO J. LEGARDA JR. COLLECTION

ABOUT THE WORK

Sedes Sapientiae/ Throne of Wisdom” is one of the devotional titles in the Litany of Mary, the Mother of God. The Roman Catholic tradition depicts Mary, with the Christ child on her lap, seated on a throne. Despite the fact that this relleve is carved in three panels (dovetailed and with support at the back), it is executed with a skill that can be attributed to the Laguna school of the mid -18th century. The treatment of the face of both the Virgin and child, especially the hair and the drapery, bear marked similarities to the most-prized Theo Tokos / Mary The Mother of God sculptures from this school and period. Many of the great Romanesque and Medieval European depictions of the seated virgin show her in a rigid pose, in full frontal view. In this work, the Virgin turns her gaze to the child with great tenderness . Her high-backed throne is flanked by two amphorae bearing flowers (lilies?). An interesting detail: the finials on the throne’s arm rests are in the distinctively Filipino pineapple/ motif. Two pilgrims, dressed in European-style travelling clothes with walking staffs, kneel at either side of her throne. Their offering of roses are seen at the virgin’s feet. - by Floy Quintos