Crucifix

This crucifix, lacking the base that would make it possible to determine whether it was positioned on or off the altar, is plated in silver with the tips ending in relief rosettes contained in a triangle.
The crucified Christ is portrayed in ivory and polychrome. A nimbus comprising a circular halo with rays that emanate from the point where the shaft and the arms cross is depicted around each image’s head. A second halo in the shape of the Sun – treated as a moveable element – accentuates the glory of the Saviour.
Outside the traditional context, and unusual even for Portuguese India, the sun’s face is unusually represented in two radiating discs, and may be interpreted in the Indian manner (as Vishnu or Shiva?).