Christ on the Cross
Figure
ca. 1700 (made)
ca. 1700 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This ivory statuette was made about 1700 in Goa. It was formerly attributed to Spain, as the treatment of the hair, drapery, ornamental detail and use of pigment recalled the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception (V&A Mus. no. 183-1864), then thought to be from Valencia and therefore attributed the present piece to the same workshop (Museum records). However similarities with other ivories thought to be Indo-Portuguese, from Goa, suggest the same origins for both the present piece and the Immaculate Conception cited above. 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. But the Christian settlers and missionaries were also keen to convert the native populace to Christianity, and religious images in ivory were commissioned to assist in this. Some were exported to Europe, but others evidently remained and were used for evangelical purposes.
motivated by a desire to dominate trade-routes. But the Christian settlers and missionaries were also keen to convert the native populace to Christianity, and religious images in ivory were commissioned to assist in this. Some were exported to Europe, but others evidently remained and were used for evangelical purposes.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Christ on the Cross (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Painted and gilded ivory |
| Brief description | Crucifix figure, ivory, Indo-Portuguese (Goa), ca. 1700 |
| Physical description | A figure of Christ - suspended as if from the cross - is wearing a short loincloth secured by a rope. His head falls forwards to the left resting on his right shoulder, the eyes closed and the feet crossed over one another, the right nailed over the left. The loincloth is an elaborate pattern of drapery held by a knotted cord. The hair is painted brown with gilded highlights, the loincloth gilded, and the blood on the hands, arms, torso and feet is painted red. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Dr W. L. Hildburgh FSA in 1949; formerly on loan from Dr Hildburgh |
| Object history | John Beckwith, Keeper of the Architecture and Sculpture department, noted that the treatment of the hair, drapery, ornamental detail and use of pigment recalled the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception (V&A Mus. no. 183-1864), then thought to be from Valencia, Spain and therefore attributed the present piece to the same workshop (Museum records). However similarities with other ivories thought to be Indo-Portuguese, from Goa, suggest the same origins for both the present piece and the Immaculate Conception cited above. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This ivory statuette was made about 1700 in Goa. It was formerly attributed to Spain, as the treatment of the hair, drapery, ornamental detail and use of pigment recalled the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception (V&A Mus. no. 183-1864), then thought to be from Valencia and therefore attributed the present piece to the same workshop (Museum records). However similarities with other ivories thought to be Indo-Portuguese, from Goa, suggest the same origins for both the present piece and the Immaculate Conception cited above. 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. But the Christian settlers and missionaries were also keen to convert the native populace to Christianity, and religious images in ivory were commissioned to assist in this. Some were exported to Europe, but others evidently remained and were used for evangelical purposes. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.20-1949 |
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| Record created | January 13, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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