An exceptional Italian polychromed and gilt enthroned Madonna and Child devotional sculpture created c.1680 The Madonna is depicted enthroned upon a ‘slung back’ chair of the period, which has a wonderful vibrant gilded inscription to the back panel of the chair. She is seated swathed in scarves and robes, with a large amount of the residual gilded polychrome remaining. Even the back to her cloak is a strong Marian blue. Most noteworthy is the exquisite and gentle carving of the Madonna’s serene face and the life-life engaging quality of the Infant held on her lap. Her smaller scale would have suggested this piece would have been created for personal devotional use in a private chapel or within intimate shrine at home. A rare and wondrous work of art.