Madonna and Child with Saint John the Baptist

The Enthroned Virgin holds her infant son Jesus on her lap. He, in turn, is engaged in playing with a pet bird, together with his cousin St. John the Baptist. St. John is recognizable by his hairy garment, reed cross, and the accompanying lamb at lower right. The bird, perhaps a goldfinch, symbolizes Christ’s death and reminds us of his eventual sacrifice. An angel places a crown on Mary’s head, alluding to her later role as Queen of Heaven. Augsburg, Germany, was one of the most accomplished centers for silver in the 16th and 17th centuries, and this relief exemplifies the high quality of its art.