Life of the Virgin

Portable altarpiece: Life of the Virgin
India, Goa, mid-17th century
Ivory and wood
Private collection

This work is assembled from many pieces of ivory. Nine plaques of identical size are framed by columns and smaller decorative panels to form a portable altarpiece. The basic form of this panel is based on the large-scale screens that are placed behind the altar in churches.

The central axis contains the main images: the Immaculate Conception at the bottom, Coronation of the Virgin in the centre, and the Holy Family at the top. Surrounding them are saints.