167

Ivory sculpture depicting Madonna and Child, Sicily, late 17th - early 18th century

Total weight: 148.7 g

carved in the round depicting the Madonna and Child.

The Virgin is depicted in an upright position, with a solemn but at the same time maternal pose; the right arm is open in a welcoming gesture while the left holds the Child Jesus.

The rich drapery of the robes, rendered with extraordinary finesse, accentuates the movement of the figure and testifies to the carver's skill in handling the material. The Child, in a lively but composed pose, seems to be holding a round object.

The sculpture rests on a finely carved ivory base, decorated on the front with a shell.

The artwork, due to the refinement of the details and the composure of the figures, fits fully into the Sicilian Baroque devotional tradition, reflecting not only the high technical level of the craftsmen of the time, but also the profound spirituality that permeated artistic production on the island. It is an artefact of great historical and artistic value, capable of combining formal elegance and intense emotional charge.

Height x width x depth sculpture: 13.5 x 2 x 3.3 cm

Height x widt x depth base: 4.2 x 4.5 x 2.2 cm

Total height: 18 cm

Sculpture ivory weight: 102.5 g

Base ivory weight: 14.2 g

This lot, accompanied by a CITES certificate and expertise issued by Ce.S.Ar Centro studi archeometici, is only available for sale with shipments within the European Union. (expertise Ce.S.Ar. 2025-179)