This is a fine example of an ivory Christian image from Goa. The child Jesus is seen here as a shepherd seated on the trunk of a palm tree with the Holy Father standing guard above. Gently dozing with his head to one side, one lamb rests on his lap, and another on his shoulder. The fan-shaped branches of the palm tree are unfortunately missing from this piece. The trunk emanates from rockwork with a lion head fountain and a few grazing sheep above a grotto with a recumbent Maria Magdalene. Above the shepherd’s head is God the Father depicted as Salvator Mundi.
