This Madonna statue originally comes from Hovland Stave Church in Eggedal. The old stave church was demolished in 1881 and three sculptures were therefore given to the museum by local authorities. One of these is this Mary with the child, or a “Madonna”. Mary had an enormous significance in the development of the popular, religious life of the Middle Ages. She has been a main motif in ecclesiastical painting, especially icon painting, but also painting more generally. The Madonna figure is dated to 1160-1200, and is made of alder and birch. Height: 56.7 cm. Width: 21 cm. Depth: 13.6 cm. C10785.