Plaque: The Christ Child as navigator

China, Macau; or Philippines, Manila, early 17th century
Ivory
Asian Civilisations Museum [2015-00220]

Here the Christ Child is shown as a sailor, steering the ship representing the church. The mast of the ship is formed as a cross. He holds a globe with a cross, symbolic of his role as Saviour of the World. Many details relate to the Crucifixion, foreshadowing his fate. Across the deck are disks, each of which contains an emblem representing the agonies of Christ’s trials, including the flagellation, crown of thorns, and nails used in crucifixion.