CHRIST AS THE GOOD SHEPHERD Colonial Portuguese work, India, probably Goa, 17th/18th century

CHRIST AS THE GOOD SHEPHERD

Colonial Portuguese work, India, probably Goa, 17th/18th century
Ivory, partly carved in the round, with traces of paintwork. In the form of a mountain, surmounted by the sleeping Christ Child depicted as the Good Shepherd, with a lamb over his shoulder and another resting on his lap. The mountain-shaped base arranged in three tiers. Below, St Mary Magdalene depicted in a grotto, reading the Holy Scriptures. Two big cats seated in lateral niches. Above, the seated St John the Baptist, flanked by four drinking birds of paradise. On the uppermost tier, the Fountain of Life, flanked by the Virgin Mary and St Joseph and drinking birds of paradise. The mountain populated by numerous sheep. Remains of a collection label on the underside, inscribed in pencil "933".
H 27.5 cm.
The head of one sheep is missing; some cracks and minor losses. Originally featured branch-like rays extending upward and to the side.

Provenance:
- Carlo Monzino Collection (1933–1996), Castagnola/Lugano, Switzerland.
- By descent into a Swiss private collection, acquired from the estate of the above-mentioned collector.

Due to the use of materials from protected species, this object cannot be exported from Switzerland.

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