Выражение встречается в следующем контексте:

We visited Art Museum Of the Socialist Republic Of Romania, where we saw a Van Eyck portrait of an olive-skinned burghar in a blue headress; the nameplate had been worn away by reverent fingers, as if this, the finest painting in the gallery had became an icon to be touched no less usefully than the sculpted feet of Mary.

Заранее спасибо