Not currently on display at the V&A

The Virgin of the Immacualte Conception

Statuette
ca. 1720 - ca. 1750 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This ivory statuette of the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception is made in Goa in about 1720-1750. It was formerly identified as Portuguese, but Indo-Portuguese figures from Goa exhibit similar features, and the edging of the drapery, the cherubim, and the acanthus on the base imply a Goan origin for the present piece.
Ivory carving had a long tradition on the Indian subcontinent, and elaborate works of art were made, particularly as diplomatic gifts, often presented to Western rulers. From the sixteenth century onwards, the four main missionary Orders, the Augustinians, Jesuits, Dominicans and Franciscans, built churches and aimed to convert the inhabitants of India. The ivories would assist in the presentation of Christian imagery, as well as being exported back to churches, convents and private collectors in Europe.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleThe Virgin of the Immacualte Conception (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Ivory, partly coulored and gilt
Brief description
Statuette, ivory, 'The Virgin of the Immaculate Conception', Portuguese or Indo-Portuguese (Goa), ca. 1720-1750
Physical description
The Virgin is shown standing with a flowing dress and veil with clasped hands upon the crescent moon, surrounded by a serpent, and clouds with seven cherubim. The statuette is on a carved pedestal decorated with three fleshy acanthus leaves. The back of the figure is fully carved; the long hair of the Virgin is visible beneath her veil. The figure has been dowelled into the separate socle, the underside of which is roughly worked.
Dimensions
  • Ivory alone height: 27cm
  • Weight: 0.980kg
  • Whole height: 31cm
Object history
The figure was bought as Valencian, and linked stylistically by John Beckwith, Keeper of Architecture and Sculpture, to an ivory crucifix figure, cat. no. 375 (Museum records). The crucifix is now however thought to be Indo-Portuguese. Estella Marcos identifies the present piece as Portuguese (Mafra). But Indo-Portuguese figures from Goa exhibit similar features, and the edging of the drapery, the cherubim, and the acanthus on the base imply a Goan origin for the present piece.
Historical context
The Virgin of the Immaculate Conception was popularly represented in Spain and Portugal and their colonies during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Production
portuguese or indo-portuguese (GOA)
Subjects depicted
Summary
This ivory statuette of the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception is made in Goa in about 1720-1750. It was formerly identified as Portuguese, but Indo-Portuguese figures from Goa exhibit similar features, and the edging of the drapery, the cherubim, and the acanthus on the base imply a Goan origin for the present piece.
Ivory carving had a long tradition on the Indian subcontinent, and elaborate works of art were made, particularly as diplomatic gifts, often presented to Western rulers. From the sixteenth century onwards, the four main missionary Orders, the Augustinians, Jesuits, Dominicans and Franciscans, built churches and aimed to convert the inhabitants of India. The ivories would assist in the presentation of Christian imagery, as well as being exported back to churches, convents and private collectors in Europe.
Bibliographic references
  • Inventory of Art Objects Acquired in the Year 1864 In: Inventory of the Objects in the Art Division of the Museum at South Kensington, Arranged According to the Dates of their Acquisition. Vol I. London: Printed by George E. Eyre and William Spottiswoode for H.M.S.O., 1868, p. 39
  • Longhurst, Margaret H. Catalogue of Carvings in Ivory. Part II. London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 1929, p. 111
  • Marcos, Estella M. M., La Escultura Barroca de Marfil en España, Madrid, 1984, II, pp. 390-391
  • Estella Marcos, Margarita M. La escultura barroca de marfil en España : las escuelas europeas y las coloniales. (2 vols), Madrid, 1984 Vol I, p. 197
  • Trusted, Marjorie, Baroque & Later Ivories, Victoria & Albert Museum, London, 2013 pp. 365, 366
  • Trusted, Marjorie, Baroque & Later Ivories, Victoria & Albert Museum, London, 2013, pp. 365, 366, cat. no. 358
Collection
Accession number
183-1864

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 createdOctober 30, 2008
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest