Carved, Polychrome, And Gilded Ivory Pietà – Goa - 17th Century

Pietà carved from ivory, polychromed and gilded –GOA - 17th century

A beautiful and moving Pietà carved from ivory, retaining remarkable traces of its original polychromy and gilding.

Description

This delicate devotional work depicts the Sorrowful Virgin, seated and cradling the lifeless body of Christ on her lap after his descent from the cross.

The composition is distinguished by its great expressive intensity. The Virgin, her face gently bowed, wears an expression of deep sorrow and contemplation, while the body of Christ, with limp limbs and his head thrown back, sensitively conveys the drama of the Passion.
The carving reveals particular attention to the facial expressions, the anatomy of Christ, and the abundant drapery of the Virgin’s cloak.
The ivory retains precious traces of its original gilding, particularly on the edges of the garments, the headdress, and the ornaments, attesting to the richness of its original decoration.

Through its iconography, sculptural treatment, and expressive character, this work is part of the European tradition of Baroque religious sculpture, likely dating from the 17th century.

The group is set against a dark wooden cross, adorned with gilded metal finials at its ends, the entire assembly resting on a circular, turned wooden base with a patina. The cross and base may have been added after the sculpture was completed.

Dimensions: Total height: 16 cm x Total width: 7 cm

Condition :

Beautiful antique patina on the ivory, with wear and losses in the polychrome paint and gilding.
Signs of age consistent with the object’s antiquity.

A work of private devotion with a particularly moving character, combining the preciousness of carved ivory with the sensitivity of the Pietà’s iconography.

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