Saint Mary of the Olive Tree
Author: Unknown
Date: 14th century, end
Material: Gilt silver and enamel
Dimensions (cm): H 46,4 x W 19
Provenance: Guimarães, Colegiada de Nossa Senhora da Oliveira
Inventory No.: MAS O 50
This sculpture, which is considered a national treasure, was made of gilt, embossed, engraved, enamelled and painted silver.
The Gothic Virgin is standing on an octagonal base, decorated with architectonic motifs and the donor’s coat of arms, Doctor João das Regras, prior of the Colegiada de Nossa Senhora da Oliveira and a jurist, who defended the rights of Dom João I, the Avis Master, to the Portuguese throne.
Currently, only one iconographic detail suggests the local invocation of Our Lady: the tube held in her right hand, in which formerly an olive branch could be inserted.