Probably one of the ten best to survive from the Middle Byzantine period (about AD 843-1204).
While the West commonly refers to Christ's mother as the Virgin Mary, in Byzantium her title was Theotokos ("Godbearer" or "Mother of God"). The image of Mary supporting the Christ child on her lap is the most popular representation of the Mother of God found in Middle Byzantine churches.
In Byzantine art she is also associated with the name Nikopoios or "Victory-maker." The title attests to the belief that under the protection of an icon bearing this image, Constantinople was able to repel attacks by invading armies. The ivory plaque seen here was undoubtedly modeled after a painted icon or monumental mosaic from a public space.
