Our Lady with the Infant Jesus, Splendour and Reliquary

The silver sculpture of Our Lady with the Infant Jesus is one of the most emblematic pieces of the Museum of São Roque. It’s composed by 3 distinct pieces: a sculpture of Our Lady with the Infant Jesus, a splendour and a base. The sculpture alternates the smooth and polished surfaces of the cloak, faces and hands, with the rugged textures of the hair and details of the clothes. The oval silver splendour, at the back, in the shape of a radiant sun is formed by two concentric hoops with interweaving decoration. This halo did not belong to the original sculpture. It was added later in the 17th century, judging by its characteristic typology. The copper gilt cubic base, decorated with inset coloured stones and bells on the corners, did not belong to the original sculpture either. The base in question contains the relic of St. Gregory Thaumaturgus, the most important relic offered to the Church of São Roque in 1587.