Silver replica of a plaque from a small triptych made of steatite, probably in Constantinople (13th century). The archangel Gabriel and the enthroned Virgin are shown in a simple architectural setting of two arches. The stiff rendering of the drapery folds and facial features betray a lack of skill on the part of the craftsman. The original was made of steatite, which appeared in Byzantine minor arts from the 10th century onwards, as a substitute for ivory which was difficult to acquire, and was used for making small portable icons, talismans and amulets.