The sculpture represents a standing Virgin Mary clasping her hands in prayer. Entirely in ivory, the Virgin was carved in the Philippines in the mid-seventeenth century, while the gilt decoration that enriches her coat was probably executed in Spain or in Mexico immediately after. The carving of the face and body 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 and nose. The tucked-in robe seen on the back is a characteristic feature of local ivory images of the Virgin and other female saints.
