Golden Madonna

The Golden Madonna, displayed in the Chapel of St. Mary in the left side-choir of Essen Cathedral, is the oldest three-dimensional statue of the Virgin Mary in the world. It was created around 980 AD during the tenure of Mathilde, Abbess of Essen. The 74 cm-tall figure, carved from poplar wood and covered with gold leaf, depicts Mary seated on a stool, with the Christ Child on her lap. Jesus holds a sphere in his right hand, representing the globe. The eyes are made of blue, white and red enamel.