- Reproduction wall hanging of Virgin Mary and Child
- Original located at Archepiscopal Museum, Utrecht, 12th Century
- Size: 10.5 X 8 X 1 (inches), Weighs about 3 lbs
- Made of bonded stone
- Suitable for indoor use, ready to hang
design: A relief-carved wall plaque in the Byzantine icon tradition, depicting the Virgin Mary in a blue and green mantle cradling the Christ Child, with two small angels rendered in the upper corners. Hand-painted detail in gold, red, and blue brings out the deep carving of the halos, robes, and ornamental border.
size: 10.5 x 8 x 1 inches, approximately 3 lbs
material: Bonded stone (cast stone relief), hand-painted
features: Ready to hang, hand-painted finish, deep relief carving, gold-tone accents, Greek inscriptions IC XC and MP ΘΥ, reproduction of a 12th-century original held at the Archepiscopal Museum in Utrecht
care: Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth and keep away from direct moisture and prolonged direct sunlight.
disclaimer: As each piece is hand-painted, slight variations in color and finish are normal and part of its handcrafted character.
Meaning & Intention
This plaque reproduces a 12th-century icon of the Virgin and Child, a devotional image that has been copied and venerated for centuries as a point of connection to something larger than ourselves. The Greek letters flanking the figures, IC XC and MP ΘΥ, are the traditional abbreviations for "Jesus Christ" and "Meter Theou," Mother of God, marking this as an icon meant for quiet contemplation rather than simple decoration.
The stars set into Mary's mantle, at each shoulder and across her brow, are a recurring detail in Byzantine iconography, traditionally read as a sign of her enduring purity before, during, and after the birth of her child. The small orb she holds echoes the cosmos itself, a reminder of the vastness the Christ Child is said to enter into as a small, dependent being cradled in his mother's arms.
The two attendant angels, appearing in the clouds above, complete a composition that has appeared in churches and homes for generations, honoring the tenderness between mother and child alongside the weight of what that child represents.
Hung in an entryway, bedroom, or quiet corner set aside for prayer, this plaque offers a steady point of return, an image to rest your eyes on when the day asks too much and you need a reminder of tenderness, protection, and grace close at hand.
Essence & Elements
- Ideal For: Those with a Catholic or Orthodox devotional practice, or anyone drawn to imagery of maternal love and grace
- Purpose: Home altar, prayer corner, wall decor, meaningful gift
- Suggested Mantra: Mother, hold me in grace
- Intention: Comfort, Protection, Grace, Love
Questions & Guidance
What is this plaque made of?
It's cast from bonded stone and hand-painted, giving it the weight and texture of a carved stone relief.
Is it ready to hang out of the box?
Yes, it comes ready to hang, so no additional hardware or framing is needed.
What do the letters around the figures mean?
IC XC and MP ΘΥ are traditional Greek abbreviations for "Jesus Christ" and "Mother of God," commonly found on Byzantine icons.
Is this suitable for outdoor display?
No, it's designed for indoor use only; keep it away from moisture and direct weather exposure.
Where does the design come from?
It's a reproduction of a 12th-century Virgin and Child icon held at the Archepiscopal Museum in Utrecht.
