Hispano-Philippine. <em>Virgin</em>, probably 18th century. Wood, ivory, pigment, gilding, gessoed cloth, and silver, Figure and base: 36 x 27 1/2 x 14 1/8 in. (91.4 x 69.9 x 35.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Frank L. Babbott Fund, 42.384. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 42.384_after_treatment_SL3.jpg)

Hispano-Philippine. Virgin, probably 18th century. Wood, ivory, pigment, gilding, gessoed cloth, and silver, Figure and base: 36 x 27 1/2 x 14 1/8 in. (91.4 x 69.9 x 35.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Frank L. Babbott Fund, 42.384. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 42.384_after_treatment_SL3.jpg)

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What is this?

This is a version of the Virgin Mary from a Hispano-Philippine culture. Objects like these would have been displayed in a home among the most valuable belongings on a mostrador. At banquets and other social occasions, mostradores—flights of steps covered with rich textiles (seen at upper left of illustration)— displayed a household’s finest and most valuable objects. These pieces of furniture were particularly ideal for showcasing silver and gilt-silver trays. Imported porcelain, glass, ivory, and lacquer objects were also ostentatiously exhibited, alongside locally made lacquerware and earthenware cups. In Mexico, round lacquerware trays (bateas), often decorated with religious and mythological subjects, coats of arms, or chinoiserie (Chinese motifs), were particularly prized. Mostradores were also temporarily assembled in the family chapels of local churches, where the elite would display their costly possessions during important religious ceremonies such as the baptism of a new heir.

How did they get the cloth to stay stiff like that?

The cloth has been gessoed, with a type of glue-like primer, to make it stiff and to keep its shape.

What's the material?

This work is titled "Virgin" from the Hispano-Philippine culture. It is made of wood and ivory with pigment, gilding, gessoed cloth and silver.

Is attributed to anyone? And dated?

It was likely made in the 18th century in the Philippines under strong Spanish colonial influence. However, we don't know the name of the artist.

Is the base made of wood?

Yes! The statue is made of mostly of lacquered wood, but the face and hands are ivory. The structure of the gown is actually cloth that has been covered in gesso to keep its shape.

This small statue of the Virgin was likely made in the 18th century in the Philippines under Spanish colonial influence.

Is the crown sterling?

The crown is made of silver, but I'm not sure exactly what kind.

What's this?

Hi! This is a statue of the Virgin Mary from the Christian religion. It comes from a Spanish colony, possibly the Philippines, in the 18th century.

Objects like this were made for personal devotion and could be kept in the home of a believer. I find this work so interesting because of her dress. It's actually made from hardened cloth.

We have a lot of depictions of the Virgin from Europe and the Americas on view throughout the Museum. They are so interesting to compare.

Thanks so much!

Where is this from? What time period is it from? Is it from a cathedral?

This Virgin sculpture was likely made in the Philippines, or else in Guatemala, Mexico, or Ecuador, and dates to the 18th century. The object likely was kept in a mostrador in someone's home, where the household's finest items were displayed. It is also possible that this item comes from a mostrador set up in a local chapel by the family who owned it.

Thank you.

Virgin

American Art

On View: Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor

THE MOSTRADOR
At banquets and other social occasions, mostradores—flights of steps covered with rich textiles (seen at upper left of illustration)— displayed a household’s finest and most valuable objects. These pieces of furniture were particularly ideal for showcasing silver and gilt-silver trays. Imported porcelain, glass, ivory, and lacquer objects were also ostentatiously exhibited, alongside locally made lacquerware and earthenware cups. In Mexico, round lacquerware trays (bateas), often decorated with religious and mythological subjects, coats of arms, or chinoiserie (Chinese motifs), were particularly prized.

Mostradores were also temporarily assembled in the family chapels of local churches, where the elite would display their costly possessions during important religious ceremonies such as the baptism of a new heir.

EL MOSTRADOR
En banquetes y otros eventos sociales, los mostradores—estantes de forma escalonada cubiertos con lujosos textiles (ver en la parte superior izquierda de la ilustración)—servían para lucir los objetos más finos y valiosos de la casa. Estos muebles eran especialmente idóneos para exhibir platería y objetos de plata dorada. Piezas de porcelana importada, vidrio, marfil y objetos en laca también eran ostentosamente expuestos, junto a loza vidriada y vasos de arcillas aromáticas de producción local. En México, las bandejas redondas de laca (bateas), a menudo decoradas con temas religiosos y mitológicos, escudos de armas o chinoiserie (adornos chinos), eran especialmente apreciadas.

Los mostradores también se montaban temporalmente en las capillas familiares de las iglesias locales, donde la élite exhibía sus bienes más preciados durante las ceremonias religiosas importantes como el bautismo de un nuevo heredero.

CULTURE Hispano-Philippine

MEDIUM Wood, ivory, pigment, gilding, gessoed cloth, and silver

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS

Possible place made: Guatemala
Possible place made: Mexico
Possible place made: Ecuador
Place made: Philippines

DATES probably 18th century

DIMENSIONS Figure and base: 36 x 27 1/2 x 14 1/8 in. (91.4 x 69.9 x 35.9 cm) Figure: 26 1/4 x 27 1/2 x 9 1/2 in. (66.7 x 69.9 x 24.1 cm) Base: 9 1/2 x 22 1/2 x 14 1/8 in. (24.1 x 57.2 x 35.9 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS American Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 42.384

CREDIT LINE Frank L. Babbott Fund

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION The figure is of lacquered wood except for the hands and face which are ivory. The figure, which stands on a gilded wooden base, wears a flowing robe that flares greatly and she is adorned with a silver crown.

EXHIBITIONS

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor

CAPTION Hispano-Philippine. Virgin, probably 18th century. Wood, ivory, pigment, gilding, gessoed cloth, and silver, Figure and base: 36 x 27 1/2 x 14 1/8 in. (91.4 x 69.9 x 35.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Frank L. Babbott Fund, 42.384. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 42.384_after_treatment_SL3.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 42.384_after_treatment_SL3.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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