Rare sculpture of the Child Jesus Savior of the World (Salvator Mundi) in delicately carved ivory, standing on a half round base - the back of the base, as usually in this production, is not decorated. The stepped form of the base, alternating plain and decorated sections, ends up in a stylized cloud with cherubs, were the Child Jesus stands. Beginning with the local sculptural tradition in ivory, that was soon used by the Portuguese, soon the production of Catholic imagery in Ceylon gained enormous fame and prestige, having been the point of departure and irradiation of an industry that probably went to Goa after the loss of the island to the Dutch newcomers in 1658 (on the Sinhalese ivories see Jordan Gschwend 2010; e Silva 2013). In effect, the sculptor master responsible for this sculpture placed the Child just standing naked - wearing only sandals, those were carved in a extraordinary detail - and making a gesture of blessing with his right hand and, holding in his left hand a lost cruciform stick, allusion to the universal and redemptive character of the message of Christ. This important sculpture of the Child Jesus Salvator Mundi is distinguished from the most common indo-portuguese production, not only for the supreme and detailed carving work, but also for its unusual and extraordinary size, most likely being a specific order for a religious house in Goa or for a wealthy official living in the Portuguese State of India.
