Provenance: Parian Workshops Binondo, Manila

ABOUT THE WORK

St. Michael, whose name in Hebrew translates to "Who is like God", was called "Arcangel", because he was ranked by many as the first among the seraphim, the first of the nine angelic orders. The seraphim were Michael, Raphael, Gabriel, Uriel, Saraqael, Raguel and Remiel. In Spain and its colonies they were often known as Los Siete Principes, The Seven Princes. Saint Michael is viewed as the commander of the Army of God, who fought against Satan, whom he ejected from Paradise. In the final battle at the end of time, Michael will defeat the Antichrist. Thus, from the time of the apostles, St. Michael has been invoked and honored as the protector of the Church. In Roman Catholicism he is the Christian Angel of Death who, at the hour of death, will descend and give each soul the chance to redeem itself before passing. Saint Michael is also tasked with weighing souls on Judgment Day; hence the saint is often depicted holding scales. Saint Michael is often represented as an angelic warrior, fully armed with helmet, sword, and shield. He may be standing over a serpent, a dragon or the defeated figure of Satan, whom he sometimes pierces with a lance. Michael the Arcangel is the patron saint of grocers, mariners, paratroopers, police officers and soldiers. This statue of San Miguel Arcangel is unusual, because it is carved from two different kinds of ivory. The entire piece, except for the head, is carved from what looks like fossilized ivory, while the latter is sculpted from regular ivory. The figure depicts the saint with his right hand raised in the act of smiting the devil with a sword. Presumably, the image once stood on Satan or his representation, now missing. The image has a serene, somewhat elongated face and wears a smile. He is carved with long curly locks reaching beyond his shoulders, and his eyes are of glass. St. Michael is dressed as a Roman soldier wearing a short tunic with belt straps dangling in front and at the back. His torso is clad with a cuirass, locally called a cotamaya, and a long swirling cloak. In The Ephesians, St. Paul mentions the Armor of God and calls the breastplate, the Armor of Righteousness. The weapon which St. Mcihael wields, shown here as a rapier, is called the Sword of the Spirit. The image wears a silver belt that is embossed and chased with scrollwork. Another belt, with a buckle embossed with a cross, holds the scabbard of the sword. The statue is shod with caligae, the Roman soldiers’ boots that were worn by all ranks during the march. -Martin I. Tinio, Jr.