Joseph (from a nativity)

18th century (?) possibly later

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 774

The ivory heads of Mary and Joseph were among the numerous such parts imported to America via the Manila Galleon trade. The style of the figures' polychromy, however, reveals that they were set into their wooden bodies in Ecuador. Artists there practiced a distinctive technique to embellish the garments of their sculptures, applying gold patterns over the colored backgrounds rather than scratching them through, as in true estofado.

Artwork Details

Overview

Title: Joseph (from a nativity)
Date: 18th century (?) possibly later
Geography: Probably made in Philippines; (none assigned) Ecuador
Culture: Ecuadorian and Philippine
Medium: Wood, polychromed and gilded; ivory touched up with polychromy (face and shoulders)
Dimensions: H. 8 1/2 in. (21.6 cm)
Credit Line: Gift of Loretta Hines Howard, 1964
Object Number: 64.164.173
Curatorial Department: The American Wing

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Mary (from a nativity), Wood, polychromed and gilded; ivory touched up with polychromy (face and shoulders), Ecuadorian and Philippine — Mary (from a nativity)
Ecuadorian and Philippine
18th century (?) possibly later

Child Jesus (from a nativity), Ivory (or possibly bone?) and wood, polychromed and gilded., Ecuadorian and Philippine — Child Jesus (from a nativity)
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Length of Woven Silk, Silk satin, brocaded, gilt- and silver-paper-wrapped thread brocading, China — Length of Woven Silk
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Surcoat (Jinbaori), Body and crest: Europe, possibly Netherlands, 17th–18th century; wool<br/>Lapels: probably China, 17th–18th century; lampas, silk, and gilt-paper strips<br/>Shoulder pieces: Europe, 1760s; silk brocaded with silk- and metal-wrapped thread, Japan — Surcoat (Jinbaori)
Japan
Probably 18th century

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