Good Shepherd

India, Goa, 17th century
Ivory
Asian Civilisations Museum [2011-01954]

The Christ Child is portrayed as the Good Shepherd in this ivory sculpture. He sits atop a mountain decorated with lily stalks, with lambs all around. Caves in the mountain contain figures including Mary Magdalene, Saint Jerome, and Christ’s parents Mary and Joseph. God the Father is in the clouds above.

The Good Shepherd was one of the most common themes made in ivory imagery in Goa. Individuals as well as churches bought these images. They were also exported to Asia and Europe.