Alabaster Virgin Trapani 17th Century

A very beautiful alabaster Virgin and Child, sculpted in the round, from the 17th century.
The Virgin appears standing on a pedestal, carrying the Infant Jesus on her left arm. He gazes tenderly at his mother, his face lit by a gentle smile.
Mary wears a robe with wide, flowing pleats falling to the ground, the drapery of which mingles with Jesus' tunic, elegantly hugging the child's curves.
Her face, with its fine features and almond-shaped eyes, reveals a slight smile.
Our sculpture is inspired by a marble statue of the Virgin, attributed to Nino Pisano (circa 1315-1368) or his workshop, preserved in the Church of SS Annunziata, in the Fisherman's Chapel, of the former Carmelite convent of Trapani. This life-size sculpture was the subject of a major pilgrimage to Sicily, and its fame led to the creation of numerous replicas, particularly in alabaster, acquired as souvenirs by pilgrims who spread throughout the world.
Nora Guggenbühler (blog of the Swiss Institute) also cites that, since 1412, Sicily was part of the Viceroyalty of Spain, and Trapani played an important political role as a strategic naval base.
A crowd of soldiers, traders, and sailors passed through the coastal town daily. Many of them acquired a miniature of the famous Madonna, which—according to legend—had already saved many believers from dangers on the high seas.
In addition to serving as pilgrimage souvenirs, miniature replicas of this miraculous image were also used to found new places of worship.

Dimensions with base
H. 48 cm x W. 15 cm x D. 8 cm

Sicily – Trapani
Alabaster
17th century
Head of the Virgin, previously reattached
Crowns missing