INDIA, GOA, 18TH CENTURY

Details

An Ivory Figure of Saint Francis**
India, Goa, 18th Century
Very finely carved seated with crossed legs and resting his head upon his hand while carrying two sheep on his lap and left shoulder, wearing a patterned tunic supporting saddlebags, his face gently modeled in a downcast gaze framed by strands of curls
4½ in. (11.4 cm.) high

Special notice

Notice Regarding the Sale of Ivory and Tortoiseshell Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing ivory or tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

Lot Essay

Compare a similar example of St. Francis, in M. Chandra, Indian Ivories, 1987, pl. 19; and another described as Christ atop a mountainous plinth in P. Pal, Indian Sculpture, 1988, vol. 2, cat. no. 120. The representation as a contemplative figure is noteworthy and might be related to Buddhist images of the 'pensive Bodhisattva' and popular Indian concepts of Krishna as the child god and divine cowherd.

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