Holy Land first half of the 6th century AD
From a monastery in Thessaly, where it was framed as an icon
The panel, probably once part of a large diptych leaf, shows the Virgin and infant Christ attended by the three Magi (wise men) and an angel. Below, the Virgin reclines on a mattress, while the Child lies in the manger between the ox and the ass with the Star of Bethlehem above.
In front of the manger a kneeling woman holds out her withered hand towards the infant Christ. The legend of Salome, who had her hand withered for doubting Mary's virginity, is told in the apocryphal Gospel of James. The story was later applied to a midwife.
On the back of the panel is a prayer written in a 12th century Greek hand.