Indo-Portuguese ivory Madonna, Goa, 17th century

Christian ivories such as this beautiful Lady of Sorrows were sculpted in Goa, partly as individual commissions for wealthy patrons and ecclesiastical houses in India, but mainly for the export market in Spain and Portugal, where these small sculptures were usually destinated to churches, monasteries and private European collections.

Possibly made during the first half of the XVIIth century, the ivory itself has a wonderful brown honeyed patina. In a frontal pose and holding her hands in adoration, the Virgin, unlike most Goanese figures, brakes the usual strict hieratic gesture by slightly tilting her head to the side, adding sweetness and feeling to the expression. The folds are rendered with special quality and looseness, far from the common rigidity of this type of images. A special mention to the back, with the spectacular extra long and wavy locks, typical feature of ivory Indo-Portuguese Madonnas.

H: 17,5 cm
Condition: One broken foot, a small brake on the right bottom side.
Prov: art market

Our gallery complies with the Spanish current regulations to be able to sell antiques made totally or parcially of ivory, being allowed to export these pieces to UE. In the case you wish to export this ivory piece outside a UE country, we strongly advice you to get informed about the regulation applicable in the destination country and the eventual need of a CITES document.