The Crucifixion thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

The Crucifixion

Statuette
ca. 1700 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This statuette represents Christ hanging as if suspended from the cross (now missing). Because of the pose of the arms, raised almost vertically, the sculptor has been able to fashion the figure from one piece of ivory, following in broad terms the shape of the tusk. Part of the loincltoth, the drapery proturding from Christ's left hip, has however been carved separately and added.
The large ivory figure is typical of the Christian ivories produced in Goa on the West coast of India, when it was under Portuguese rule. Local artists specialising in ivory carving made such pieces, usually under the direction of Portuguese missionaries. Most of these ivories were made as luxury items for export to Europe, although some were used to try to convert the local people to Catholicism. Goa was the second base in India to be established by the Portuguese, having been conquered by Alfonso de Albuquerque (about 1453-1515) during the reign of Manuel I of Portugal initially in 1510, and then reconquered in 1512. Portugal was interested first and foremost in trade, and the discovery of India was motivated by a desire to dominate trade-routes.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleThe Crucifixion (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Carved ivory, partly painted and gilded, metal nails.
Brief description
Statuette, ivory, partly painted, figure of the Crucifixion, Indo-Portuguese (Goa), ca. 1700
Physical description
Carved ivory figure of Christ on the cross from a crucifix, partly painted. The head is raised looking upwards. The hair is darkened and the wounds painted in red. His arms stretching up above his head; his feet are held by two nails. The figure is made from one piece of ivory with one small part of the loincloth, protruding from Christ's left hip, carved separately. The elaborately folded loincloth is held by a knotted rope. He looks up, his eyes and mouth open, and his teeth visible. Red pigment has been applied to the wounds, and brown to the hair; the loincloth is partly gilt.
Dimensions
  • Height: 53cm
  • Width: 14cm
  • Depth: 9cm
Measured by SCP (LS) and FTF (DH) on 13 December 2012 for 1600-1800 Project.
Style
Credit line
Given by Dr W. L. Hildburgh FSA in 1927
Object history
This piece was catalogued by Longhurst as Portuguese, but identified as Goan by Estella Marcos, who sites a similar crucifix, formerly on the art market.
This large ivory figure is typical of the Christian ivories produced in Goa on the West coast of India, when it was under Portuguese rule.
Subjects depicted
Association
Summary
This statuette represents Christ hanging as if suspended from the cross (now missing). Because of the pose of the arms, raised almost vertically, the sculptor has been able to fashion the figure from one piece of ivory, following in broad terms the shape of the tusk. Part of the loincltoth, the drapery proturding from Christ's left hip, has however been carved separately and added.
The large ivory figure is typical of the Christian ivories produced in Goa on the West coast of India, when it was under Portuguese rule. Local artists specialising in ivory carving made such pieces, usually under the direction of Portuguese missionaries. Most of these ivories were made as luxury items for export to Europe, although some were used to try to convert the local people to Catholicism. Goa was the second base in India to be established by the Portuguese, having been conquered by Alfonso de Albuquerque (about 1453-1515) during the reign of Manuel I of Portugal initially in 1510, and then reconquered in 1512. Portugal was interested first and foremost in trade, and the discovery of India was motivated by a desire to dominate trade-routes.
Bibliographic references
  • Longhurst, Margaret H. Catalogue of Carvings in Ivory. London: Published under the Authority of the Board of Education, 1929, Part II, p. 113
  • Estella Marcos, Margarita M. La escultura barroca de marfil en España : las escuelas europeas y las coloniales. Madrid, 1984, II, p. 362, cat. 822
  • Trusted, Marjorie, Baroque & Later Ivories, Victoria & Albert Museum, London, 2013 pp. 377, 378
  • Trusted, Marjorie, Baroque & Later Ivories, Victoria & Albert Museum, London, 2013, pp. 377, 378, cat. no. 374
Collection
Accession number
A.65-1927

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdNovember 19, 2004
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest