Saint Joseph holding the Christ Child and the Virgin of Mount Carmel

Philippines, 19th century
Wood, ivory, hair, silver, various textiles
Asian Civilisations Museum [2016-00260]

The faces, hands, and feet of these figures are carved of ivory. The bodies consist of simple wooden frames, intended only as supports for the elaborate textiles and objects. The hair and eyelashes appear to be made of real hair.

Saint Joseph carries the Christ Child and a staff of sprouting lilies. The Virgin is shown as the Virgin of Mount Carmel, the patroness of the Order of Carmelites, because she holds scapulars (panels of cloth connected by bands).