119 - Indo-Portuguese School, 17th or early 18th century

Indo-Portuguese School, 17th or early 18th century Angel Ivory statuette (Elephantidae spp.*). (Damage, missing parts, and restorations.) Height: 10.5 cm On a wooden base (Height: 6.5 cm). Related work: -Indo-Portuguese, 17th century, Nativity angels, ivory, Height : 80 cm and 83 cm, Porto, private collection. This statuette is an example of the production of religious statuettes from the region known as “India Portuguesa,” which refers to all of the Portuguese colonies in India. Following the territorial conquest, Christianity prompted artisans in this region to meet the religious needs of the conquistadors and to export to Europe a new type of luxury item, since elephant ivory, due to its whiteness, has always been considered a symbol of purity in the context of religious artifact production. Here, the figure is an angel that likely belonged to a larger ensemble for a small private devotional altarpiece dedicated to the Passion of Christ. Perhaps he held an instrument of the Passion in his right hand. The highly dynamic rendering of the drapery, the somewhat stiff stylization of the hair, and above all the disproportionate size of the ears suggest that this work originated from the so-called Baroque tradition of the 17th or early 18th century in the Portuguese colonies. * Note (//): A CITES certificate will be issued to the purchaser, allowing for free circulation within the EU. Expert: LACROIX-JEANNEST Firm