Vintage French ceramic statue of Ismeria, The Black Virgin of Our Lady of Liesse, seated and carrying the infant Jesus on her lap.
Venerated in Picardy, her history dates back to the time of the crusades. She is believed to be a 12th century Sudanese princess, daughter of a sultan of Egypt. History claims that in 1134 she saved the lives of three French knights.
The Virgin and the child are black; the Virgin wears a white cape with golden symbols and a golden crown.
This religious artefact does not have any visible signature but ressembles very closely the model signed BACCI.
The work is damaged: the baby Jesus has lost his head and his hands; there are several paint chips.
H 21.2 cm
English 
French