St Michael
Statuette
ca. 1700 (made)
ca. 1700 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The winged figure of St Michael stands over the defeated devil, a human-headed creature with fangs and breasts, cloven-hoofed hind feet, and clawed forefeet.
The figure was classified as Portuguese when acquired, but it is more likely to be Chinese or Hispano-filipino. The oval face and heavy-lidded eyes, as well as the comparatively large size of this piece, suggest it was made in the Philippines, when those islands were under Spanish rule, probably by a Chinese or possibly Filipino sculptor. It is likely to date from around 1700. Such ivories were usually made for export to Spain; the archangel St Michael, in the guise of a warrior, was frequently depicted.
The figure was classified as Portuguese when acquired, but it is more likely to be Chinese or Hispano-filipino. The oval face and heavy-lidded eyes, as well as the comparatively large size of this piece, suggest it was made in the Philippines, when those islands were under Spanish rule, probably by a Chinese or possibly Filipino sculptor. It is likely to date from around 1700. Such ivories were usually made for export to Spain; the archangel St Michael, in the guise of a warrior, was frequently depicted.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Title | St Michael (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Ivory |
| Brief description | Statuette, ivory, St Michael, Hispano-Filipino or Chinese, ca. 1700 |
| Physical description | The winged figure of St Michael stands over the defeated devil, a human headed creature with fangs and breasts, cloven-hoofed hind feet, and clawed forefeet. The saint wears classical armour, and wielding a flaming sword in his raised right hand over the prostrate devil. He has an oval face and heavy-lidded eyes. The wings and right arm are attached separately. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Dr W.L. Hildburgh F.S.A. in 1951 |
| Object history | The object is said to have been in the Cook Collection previously (presumably the Art collector Sir Francis Cook, 1st Baronet (1817-1901), although no references to this item have been found in the Cook sale catalogues). The figure was classified as Portuguese when acquired, but it is more likely to be Chinese or Hispano-filipino. The oval face and heavily lidded eyes, as well as the curling locks of hair, recall similar features in Hispano-filipino ivories, as does the classical armour worn by the archangel. |
| Production | Hispano-Filipino or Chinese |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Association | |
| Summary | The winged figure of St Michael stands over the defeated devil, a human-headed creature with fangs and breasts, cloven-hoofed hind feet, and clawed forefeet. The figure was classified as Portuguese when acquired, but it is more likely to be Chinese or Hispano-filipino. The oval face and heavy-lidded eyes, as well as the comparatively large size of this piece, suggest it was made in the Philippines, when those islands were under Spanish rule, probably by a Chinese or possibly Filipino sculptor. It is likely to date from around 1700. Such ivories were usually made for export to Spain; the archangel St Michael, in the guise of a warrior, was frequently depicted. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.82-1951 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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