Seated, dressed figure of the Virgin Mary in a vitrine

Figure: Carved and polychrome wood with glass eyes

Garments: silk with silver thread lace, silk with gold thread, gold thread tassels, cotton with lace

Silver accoutrements

Cut-crystal/wire/metal chandeliers

Wood neoclassical case with antique glass windows

Seated figure: 24 x 11 ½ x 9 inches

Vitrine dimensions: 41 x 19 ⅝ x 15 ¾ inches

Overall height of vitrine with gilded sunburst: 49 ½ inches

In Spanish and Hispanic art, the Virgin is often depicted with seven swords or daggers piercing her breast, known as the Seven Sorrows of the Virgin. The Sorrows are (1) at the prophecy of Simeon[1]; (2) at the flight into Egypt; (3) having lost the Holy Child at Jerusalem; (4) meeting Christ on his way to Calvary; (5) standing at the foot of the Cross; (6) Jesus being taken from the Cross; (7) at the burial of Christ. 

The sculpture represents the Virgin Mary in her role as the most powerful Intercessor with Christ (this role of the Virgin was promoted by the Jesuits)[2], as

 …another important component of late medieval spirituality: the belief in Mary as intercessor who offers prayers to Christ on behalf of the faithful. Mary's intimate relationship with Christ as mother and her high status as queen of heaven made her the perfect spiritual advocate. Christians believed that her intercession affected miracles, because as a dutiful son Christ could hardly refuse her wishes.’

[3]  The present work is a classic Spanish imagen de vestir, the phrase that describes a sculpture intended to be clothed in garments of real cloth. For that reason, the detailed modeling centers around the face, hands, and (for full figures) feet. The rest of the body underneath the garments was usually not finished with full carving and polychrome, because it was never visible 

It was the custom to adorn the dressed figures with rich and elaborate garments, sometimes ex-votos, lavish silver accoutrements and other props (for example, the crystal chandeliers inside the case, flanking the Dolorosa). Some statues had entire wardrobes fashioned for them by nuns or faithful parishioners who commissioned garments of fine silks, laces, and embroideries. Their outfits might be changed frequently, depending on the feast day or solemn commemorations like Holy Week. These cult figures are truly mixed-media objects.

Many objects like the present Dolorosa were carried in procession, either in their cases or out of them, and then stored inside the vitrine in a church, convent, or even a private home.