Bidspirit auction | Seated Virgin. Portuguese School. 17th

Seated Virgin. Portuguese School. 17th Century - Carved wood with traces of polychromy. Measurements: 32 x 14 x 10 cm. Carved in the round, this sculpture depicts the Virgin in a seated pose, likely designed to hold the Child on her lap. The figure is presented frontally, with an oval face, serene expression, and long hair cascading symmetrically over her shoulders. The modeling is sober, with simplified volumes that favor symmetry and iconic presence. The garments are treated with broad vertical folds, subtly indicated by the remaining polychromy in reddish, ochre, and green tones. The surface bears signs of wear and woodworm damage, which contribute to a patina of age and historical authenticity. The work reflects an archaizing devotional aesthetic typical of 17th-century Portuguese sculpture, where formal simplicity and hieratic stillness underscore its liturgical function and spiritual dimension. Despite the absence of the Child and partial loss of the arms, the piece retains its symbolic power within the context of popular Marian iconography.