LATE 17TH CENTURY/EARLY 18TH CENTURY, THE RIGHT SLEEVE AND BACK OF APRON REPLACED IN WOOD AND THE BASE LATER

Exceptional large scale ivory sculptures from the Philippines are rare surviving evidence of the luxury Galleon trade through Manila during the 17th and 18th centuries. In contrast with smaller ivory Goanese mass-produced works, ivory carvings from Manila, made from the highest quality African and Indian elephant tusks, were done as individual commissions for wealthy patrons and ecclesiastical houses. The more popular Philippino subjects included the crucified Christ, the Virgin and Child and such popular saints as St. Francis. Made by Philippino or Chinese craftsmen, these figures display a stylistic interpretation of Western forms and iconography while also encorporating local cultural artistic expressions such as Buddha-like Christ figures or Chinese cloud motifs. The present figure, most probably depicting Saint Michael, can be compared in subject to another figure of Philippine origin in San Agustin Museum wielding a sword in one raised arm while treading Satan (Illustrated in T.Bonton, Philippine Religious Carvings in Ivory, Manila, 1983, p. 58), also wearing an armored apron of ribbon-like elements. Another outstanding example of Hispano-Philippine large scale religious ivory sculture sold Christie's King Street, 5 July 2001, lot 183 (£102,750).