Salvator Mundi

Christ Child, salvator mundi genre, in ivory with the attributes of the Passion carved in relief on the scapular, located over the long tunic with realistic folds; flat feet to the front and rough-shaped sandals. Right-handed blessing (two fingers missing) and the terrestrial globe on the left hand. Features all the characteristics of a Sinhalese work – finely grooved wavy hair and a large curl of hair on the forehead: the “ūrṇā” curl, attribute of Buddha; emotionless expression, protruding nose and closed mouth; elegant body. This iconography is based on the anticipation that baby Jesus would have had – in a dream – of his Passion to be. Octogonal shaped base with moulding along the faces decorated with diamond shapes. The image still presents some remains of the original brown monochrome, distinct from ivory white, and also of gold on the brown parts: hair, scapular, borders and base.