St Michael

The winged figure of St Michael stands over the defeated devil, a human-headed creature with fangs and breasts, cloven-hoofed hind feet, and clawed forefeet.

The figure was classified as Portuguese when acquired, but it is more likely to be Chinese or Hispano-filipino. The oval face and heavy-lidded eyes, as well as the comparatively large size of this piece, suggest it was made in the Philippines, when those islands were under Spanish rule, probably by a Chinese or possibly Filipino sculptor. It is likely to date from around 1700. Such ivories were usually made for export to Spain; the archangel St Michael, in the guise of a warrior, was frequently depicted.