An Image of Authority. the Ivory Plaque with the Enthroned Virgin from Aachen, c. 800–810, in (In)sights Regarding Medieval Art. A Tribute to Herbert Kessler, special issue of ‘Codex Aqvilarensis. Revista de Arte Medieval’, 37 (2021), 179–96.

An ivory plaque believed to have been carved in Aachen, the capital of Charlemagne, in c.800–825, shows the figure of the Virgin Mary sitting on a backless throne under an elaborate canopy (22 x 14.5 x 0.8 cm, New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art, inv. no. 17.190.49). Her gaze is fixed firmly on the beholder; she holds a cross-topped staff in her right hand, almost a military vexillum, and a distaff and spindle in her left hand, a reference to her domestic activ- ity of spinning. Over the past two millennia the figure of the Virgin Mary has been portrayed in various ways: some emphasise her spiritual strength, others her submissive, almost passive at- titude. Overall, the ivory plaque, carved more or less at the mid-point of this time span, projects an image of strength, power, and authority. Hence, there is need now to explore the intended message of the plaque and, if possible, determine what kind of power and authority – spiritual, moral, or even doctrinal – was attributed to Mary in the Carolingian Empire by the year 800.