PAX WITH INFANT JESUS AS SALVATOR MUNDI. PARTIALLY GILT SILVER AND PEARL. MADRID, 1781.

Peace-bearer with the Child Jesus as Salvator Mundi. Partially gilded silver and a pearl. Madrid, 1781. A peace-bearer with a structure in silver in its colour, embossed and chiselled, and a round figure of the Child Jesus cast and gilded. The Child appears naked, with a radiant halo and resting his left leg on a rock, in a contrapposto position of classical heritage. He is represented as Salvator Mundi, with a sphere that symbolises the world in his left hand, crowned by the cross. The Salvator Mundi is usually shown blessing with his right hand, a gesture that is eliminated here to make the Child hold a sceptre of command topped with a pearl. The figure sits on a corbel in the shape of a scallop and is situated within a niche topped with a semicircular arch, with another scallop at its peak, alluding to the sacrament of baptism. The profile of the niche shows a fantastic architectural design, with C-shaped braces, floral elements, thick acanthus leaves, rows of bells and rocaille crests. In the upper area, the bottom of the arch appears worked with small incisions that shade the surface, highlighting the relief of the rest of the elements. The flat back has a support band also in silver, joined by soldering. The piece has hallmarks of Madrid Villa y Corte from 1781. Illegible silversmith's mark.

· Size: 11x6x13,5 cms