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SEVEN HEADED HYDRA
Ivory
Indo-Portuguese, 17th century
A remarkable ivory base for a sculpture, probably an ivory image of the Madonna. The expressive base represents the seven headed Hydra, a monster from the Greco-roman mythology. The ferocious looking animal is depicted with the body covered in scales, feet with claws, twisted tail and seven heads with threatening expression. This precise iconography is unusual, but follows the theme of victory of good,(our Lady), against evil, (in this case the Hydra, but more commonly the dragon). |
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