Your Window to Look Back into GOA

Alinto Coelho

I take the liberty to move away from the subject of Goan heritage houses and move into a topic that has treasures of Goan art forms predominantly from Goan Churches and also from Goan houses. THE MUSEUM OF CHRISTIAN ART, a project of the Archdiocese of Goa was originally opened in the Rachol Seminary complex on 23rd January 1994 by the then President of India Shri. Shankar Dayal Sharma in the presence of Indian and Portuguese dignitaries.

The Museum of Christian Art was later moved to the Convent of Santa Monica, Old Goa on the 23rd ?of January 2002. The location was most appropriate as it was in the vicinity of World Heritage Monuments in Old Goa. The museum was declared open to the public by the? Governor of Goa, Shri Mohammed Fazal in the presence of the Archbishop of Goa the Most Rev Raul Gonsalves, and the Chief Minister of Goa, Shri Manohar Parrikar.

The museum houses objects made of ivory, wood, marble, silver, and gold, furniture used in yesteryear, and fabrics in the form of vestments, banners, etc., used only on certain auspicious rituals. Most of these art objects showcase Indian influences on Christian Art.

The top picture is of the Infant Jesus in the Cradle, the image made in ivory and the cradle in gilt silver, silver with gold embroidered velvet. It is from the early 19th century from the Church of St Philip and St James in Cortalim, Salcette,? Goa.

This object displays the diversity and richness of Christian Art and culture, and similar objects are also found in some Goan houses.

Dalmatic and Stole, made of fabric in silk, gold, and polychrome - silk embroidery of the 18th century from the Basilica at Old Goa. This vestment is worn on the solemn occasion of a seminarian being ordained as a Deacon. Vestments such as this one continue to be used even today on this solemn occasion.

Embroidered textiles such as the Chasuble, the Tabernacle veil, the Chalice cloth, the processional cross sleeve, processional banners, Bishop’s cope, etc., in velvet fabric in Polychrome silk and gold, threaded embroidery and some with ivory images have been displayed in this museum.

The conservation of these textiles was required as this art form is fading off and the preservation of this cultural legacy for future generations is of utmost importance.

The above two objects are of the Holy Trinity, each having a different depiction, one made of marble and the other of wood. The Holy Trinity made of marble has traces of gilt, made in the 17th century from the Se Cathedral at Old Goa.

The 17th-century painting originally from the Saviour of the World Church, Loutolim, Salcette, Goa, is on a wooden panel and depicts the Holy Family blessed by The Holy Trinity.

This object is of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception with the child Jesus was donated by Ms. Teresa Maria Mendia de Castro? (daughter of the 3rd Earl of Nova Goa) Lisbon. The object is made of gilt and polychrome on wood with crowns of gold embedded with diamonds from the Late 17th century.

The object of the Crucifix, with the image in Ivory on a silver plated wooden cross, from the Savior of the world Church,? Loutolim,? Salcette. The Museum and Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (CGF), Portugal, jointly prepared and executed the upgradation project of the Museum. The team included experts from the CGF, Portugal, conservators from the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), New Delhi, who worked along with the MoCA team and Architect Arminio Ribeiro – the Project consultant, to enhance the Museum to international standards.

The Museum last month has completed 29 years of its existence. This museum is a must-visit for Goans and all those who visit Goa, their contact details are as follows:

Contact no: +91 8308805399

Email: [email protected]

Insta: @moca.goaofficial??????????? Website: www.museumofchristianart.com

Alinto Coelho is passionate about preserving our Goan Heritage. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Goa College of Engineering. He provides Professional Consultancy Civil Engineering Services in Goa, which includes the Restoration of Heritage Structures. He has initiated a process to document Heritage Structures across Goa.

ALINTO COELHO – GOA

[email protected]