Indo-Portuguese school of the 18th century. Virgin of the Rosary. Sculpture in sculpted ivory. It represents the ...

Indo-Portuguese school of the 18th century. Virgin of the Rosary. Sculpture in sculpted ivory. It represents the Virgin with the Child, this one with one hand blesses and with the other holds the orb. 26 x 6 x 3.5 cm. Since ancient times, all the trade of Europe with the eastern kingdoms took place through the so-called Silk Road, which involved a long journey through the Mediterranean Sea. The Portuguese established contact with India through the ports of Goa and Kochin as strategic centers; in addition to the Island of Ceylon and some ports in China such as Macao, apart from important enclaves on the African coasts. They used the skills of local craftsmen to promote the development of indigenous manufactures destined for overseas trade, such as ivory carving and its export to the American viceroyalties and European metropolises.