Philippine sculpture of Saint Francis of Assisi 17 century

 

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Saint Francis of Assisi (17th century). Philippine Ivory

The sculpture represents Saint Francis of Assisi holding a crucifix in his left hand, while his right hand shows signs his stigmata. Entirely in ivory, the saint was carved in the Philippines in the mid-seventeenth century. The carving follows stylistic conventions of Hispano- Filipino art of the seventeenth century. The traditional European forms are here given an Asian expression, especially in the eyes, ears and nose. The habit fastened with the Franciscan cordon is speckled with gold designs deliberately simple and crude in comparison to the floral designs seen on other Hispano- Filipino ivory figures, illustrating the celebration of poverty in the Franciscan way of life.

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