The Good Shepherd

This figure shows Christ as the Good Shepherd, symbolising his care for and guidance of his flock. It belongs to a small group of rock crystal figures of the Christ Child produced in Goa and Ceylon (present-day Sri Lanka). This Christian theme was introduced there by missionaries who accompanied Portuguese traders, and appealed to local people, who were accustomed to similarly seated images of the Buddha. Similar statues in ivory are known. The figure is a superb example of the local tradition of carving rock crystal and decorating it with gold and precious stones. Works of art in rock crystal were desirable collectors' items in Renaissance Kunstkammern, princely treasury collections which Wallace aspired to evoke.