mandorla

/ mænˈdɔːlə /

noun

(in painting, sculpture, etc) an almond-shaped area of light, usually surrounding the resurrected Christ or the Virgin at the Assumption Also calledvesica

from Italian, literally: almond, from Late Latin amandula; see almond

This represents the Eternal Father within a mandorla of cherubs.

The mandorla recalls the altar-pieces of Borgo and of Lyons.

The Porta della Mandorla is one of the most perfect examples of Florentine decorative sculpture that exists.

Above is the famous relief which crowns the whole, and from which the door takes its name–the glorified Madonna of the Mandorla.

It represents the Madonna borne up in the Mandorla surrounded by Angels, three of whom above are hymning her triumph.

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