ESCUELA HISPANO FILIPINA

(S. XVII)

HISPANIC FILIPINO SCHOOL (17th century / ?) "Nave Typus Religiones"

Ivory The theme represented here is typical of the Counter-Reformation and the result of a deep knowledge of the iconography, so it must be a commission dictated in detail by, most likely, from a highly educated member of the clergy. The ship, crowned by Christ, represented in his attributes of the Passion, symbolizes the Church, who sails with the Virgin Mary in the center surrounded by various saints such as Saint Catherine and Saint Ferdinand, among others, and representatives of the clergy such as Jesuits, Dominicans or Franciscans. The ship travels propelled by the wind provided by a cherub, however, the demons, blowing from above or attacking with fire and arrows from below, hinder its path. The scene is completed in the lower left corner with a drifting ship in which Judas is depicted hanging and another figure stabbing himself. Next to them, three figures who manage to save themselves: Saint Paul, with a sword; a man with a millstone in reference to the words of Jesus "... whoever offLates one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for him to have a millstone hung around his neck..." (Mt. 18, 6- 9); and finally, between them, the Pope with an anchor tied around his neck. This plate is already interesting in itself due to the theme represented, rare and the result of a deep knowledge of the vicissitudes of its time, but it is also interesting due to the quality of the workmanship and its detail. Presents restoration. Bibliography: -Estella, Margarita M., "Baroque ivory sculpture in Spain. European and colonial schools", CSIC, Instituto Velazquez, Madrid, 1984, Volume I fig. 339, Volume II p. 338, no. 776 This work has a valid CITES certificate with no. ES-MT-50914/24C issued in 2024 Measurements: 25.7 x 21.5 cm