Ɏ AN INDO-PORTUGUESE IVORY FIGURE OF OUR LADY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, GOA, LATE 17TH CENTURY
This lot is from a single owner collection and is therefore offered without reserve

Published: Jean-Paul Desroches (ed.) et al, Two Americans in Paris. A Quest for Asian Art, Paris, 2016, p. 167, no. 279 (part-lot).

Exhibited:

1. Pointe-à-Callière Museum, From the Lands of Asia. The Sam and Myrna Myers Collection, Montréal, 17 November 2016-19 March 2017.
2. Kimbell Art Museum, From the Lands of Asia. The Sam and Myrna Myers Collection, Fort Worth, Texas, 4 March-19 August 2018.

Western India, c. 1680-1700. The virgin stands atop a crescent moon raised on a pedestal decorated with stylized florets in relief, encircled by a band of petals, wearing heavy outer and inner robes and a cape draped in naturalistic folds, with her hands clasped together. Her face is exquisitely carved with almond-shaped eyes, fleshy cheeks, and full lips.

Provenance: The Collection of Sam and Myrna Myers, Paris, France. Acquired between circa 1965-2012.
Condition: Good condition with wear and natural imperfections including age cracks and fissures. Manufacturing irregularities, scattered surface scratches, small losses and nibbling along the edges and interior of the cloak, the right hand reattached, remnants of gilt. The ivory with a rich, naturally grown, honey-amber patina.

Weight: 386 g
Dimensions: Height 19.2 cm

Devotional statuettes carved in ivory celebrating the Virgin Mary were popular in Europe during the 1600s, and this taste spread to the colonies established by Catholic countries in Asia and the Americas. The three most important locations for production of these ivories were the Portuguese colonies in Goa, where this piece was made, the island of Sri Lanka, and the Spanish colony of the Philippines.

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.

Goa came under Portuguese rule in 1510, and subsequently became an eastern trading capital of the Portuguese empire and the seat of Christian imperialism, whose influence stretched from the Cape of Good Hope to the Sea of Japan. The Portuguese found a well-established infrastructure for ivory carving, with experienced artists and workshops. This explains the resulting hybrid of sculptures drawing from European iconography and traditional Indian stylistic conventions.

Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related ivory figure of the Madonna of the Immaculate Conception, Goa, dated circa 1680-1700, 26.1 cm high, in the Walters Art Museum, accession number 71.342.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s London, 2 October 2013, lot 369
Price: GBP 3,125 or approx. EUR 5,800 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A carved ivory figure of the Virgin Mary on a crescent moon, late 17^th or early 18^th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling and manner of carving with similar pose, face, hair, robes, and crescent moon. Note the size (23.2 cm).

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 25 March 2004, lot 188
Price: USD 9,560 or approx. EUR 14,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: An Ivory Figure of Our Lady, Goa, 17^th century
Expert remark: Compare the related modeling and manner of carving with similar pedestal and foliate reliefs. Note the size (22.8 cm).

Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 25-B-1201).