Ivories 1600–1800: Religious subjects

'The Sacrifice of Isaac', ivory relief

'The Sacrifice of Isaac'
Ivory relief
Balthasar Griessmann (Master B.G.) (about 1620-1706)
Germany
Dated 1679
Ivory
Museum no. A.50-1949
Given by Dr W.L. Hildburgh FSA

Abraham was commanded by God to sacrifice his only son Isaac as a test of his faith. Just as he was about to strike his son, God released him and provided a ram for the sacrifice.

'The Mocking of Christ', ivory relief

'The Mocking of Christ'
Ivory relief
Signed by Christoph Daniel Schenk (about1645/50-91)
Germany (Constance)
Dated 1685
Ivory
Museum no. A.26-1933
Given by Louis C.G. Clarke

Schenk was from a family of sculptors and worked in wood and ivory.

'The Lamentation over the Dead Christ', ivory relief

'The Lamentation over the Dead Christ'
Ivory relief
Signed by Adam Lenckhardt (1610-61)
Southern Germany
About 1630
Ivory
Museum no. A.41-1928

'Holy Family with the Young St John the Baptist', ivory

'Holy Family with the Young St John the Baptist'
Paul Heermann (1673-1732)
About 1700-30
Germany (Dresden)
Ivory
Museum no. A.45-1951
Given by Dr W.L. Hildburgh FSA

Heermann was the son of a sculptor, George Heermann, and worked in Prague, Rome and Dresden.

'St George and the Dragon', ivory relief

'St George and the Dragon'
Ivory relief
Perhaps by Dominik Steinhart (1655-1712)
Southern Germany
About 1680-1720
Ivory
Museum no. A.36-1949
Given by Dr W.L. Hildburgh FSA

Steinhart specialised in ivory carving and lived in Italy for six years. This relief exists in a number of versions, but the intricate and highly skilled carving of this example suggests that Steinhart worked it himself.

'The Fountain of Life and an Allegory of the Church with the Last Judgement', ivory relief

'The Fountain of Life and an Allegory of the Church with the Last Judgement'
Ivory relief
Philippines
About 1650-1700
Ivory
Museum no. 277-1879

This detailed relief was probably made for a Spanish patron. The composition was based on a Netherlandish engraving.

'St Martin and the Beggar', ivory relief

'St Martin and the Beggar'
Ivory relief
Chinese (Canton, now Guangzhou)
About 1680-1720
Ivory
Museum no. A.8-1955
Bequeathed by Sir Victor Wellesley

St Martin is shown dividing his cloak to give half to a beggar. The composition was probably based on a Netherlandish engraving.

Triptych Showing the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception (Tota Pulchra) with Saints, ivory relief

Triptych Showing the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception (Tota Pulchra) with Saints
Ivory relief
Philippines
About 1680-1720
Ivory
Museum no. 99-1864

This small, portable triptych was made for devotional purposes. Its two side wings were hinged so they could close over the central relief. The triptych might have been used by missionaries in the Philippines, or sent back to Spain.

'St Dominic with a Dog', ivory

'St Dominic with a Dog'
Ivory
Diego Reinoso
Mexico
1696
Bone
Museum no. A.45-1923
Given by Alfred Williams Hearn

St Dominic was the founder of the Dominican order, which was active in Central and South America from the early 16th century onwards.