the Virgin and Child
Statuette
ca. 1650 (made)
ca. 1650 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This Virign and Child ivory statuette is made in about 1650 in Goa. A comparable piece is in the Ashmolean Museum, and other similar pieces in the Vatican. The stylised carving is typical of Goan work of the seventeenth century.
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. The Virgin Mary was often standing on the crescent moon, triumphant over a dragon, both symbols derived from the Book of the Apocalypse in the New Testament. 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.
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. The Virgin Mary was often standing on the crescent moon, triumphant over a dragon, both symbols derived from the Book of the Apocalypse in the New Testament. 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 | |
| Title | the Virgin and Child (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Ivory |
| Brief description | Statuette, ivory, the Virgin and Child, Indo-Portuguese (Goa), ca. 1650 |
| Physical description | Statuette in ivory. The Virgin is shown with painted hair and face and wearing a robe with a gilded edge. She steps forward slightly with her left foot, standing on a globe surmounted by a crescent moon and holds a rosary with a cross in her right hand. The Child is in her left arm, holding an orb in the left hand and blessing with the right. On the front of the globe is a scroll and three cherubim are carved in relief. The socle is integral. The figure is carved fully at the back, and the Virgin's long hair visible under her veil. Painted and gilded. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Dr W.L. Hildburgh F.S.A. in 1949; formerly on loan from Dr Hildburgh. |
| Object history | A comparable piece is in the Ashmolean Museum, and other similar pieces in the Vatican. The stylised carving is typical of Goan work of the seventeenth century. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This Virign and Child ivory statuette is made in about 1650 in Goa. A comparable piece is in the Ashmolean Museum, and other similar pieces in the Vatican. The stylised carving is typical of Goan work of the seventeenth century. 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. The Virgin Mary was often standing on the crescent moon, triumphant over a dragon, both symbols derived from the Book of the Apocalypse in the New Testament. 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 |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.21-1949 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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