Carved with soft facial features and carefully executed cosmetic lines around the eye, earring, and carefully detailed duplex wig with gently wavy curls; likely from the Ramesside Period; mounted on a custom-made stand.

Modelled in the round with a muscular nude body, his club resting on his shoulder and the hair dressed in rows of tight, close-set curls underneath the Nemean lionskin hood with cloak billowing over his left arm, the paws tied across his chest; mounted on a custom-made display stand.

Carved head of a prepubescent worshipper of Isis, with soft facial features, long nose, small downturned mouth, heavy-lidded eyes, the whole giving the face a sombre or mournful appearance; the hair textured to indicate a short cut and combed forward across the scalp, sidelock above the right ear; mounted on a 16th century carved breccia upper body with leather cuirass and pteruges to right shoulder, cloak draped across the shoulders and fastened at the clavicle on the right side with a disc-brooch; socle base; some restoration.

Modelled in the round and originally part of a monumental statue, the naturalistic right foot encased in a trochades leather sandal with median reversed tongue secured with side straps and thick looped laces; the thick platform sole slightly curved, toes and nails well defined; mounted on a substantial custom-made display stand.

Modelled in the half-round, nude with eyelids half-closed in sleep; a drapery partly covering the head and wrapping around the lower body under the hips; the hairstyle similar to those of the Antonine Dynasty, the peaceful face supported by the hands and the ear pierced to accept an earring; iron reinforcing rod to the feet and the right arm's armilla a later replacement; upper head restored in Parian marble.

An imposing panel divided to four sections by a central cross on a stepped pedestal, the lower and upper arm with branch-like extensions; the upper quadrants with a circlet surrounding a palm tree-shaped motif; each lower quadrant with a bird in profile facing back; mounted on a custom-made display stand.

Carved skull on a short neck with musculature and blood vessels; mandible in place with some teeth in sockets, wisps of hair adhering to the dome of the skull; one zygomatic bone partly absent; square-section socle base.

Carved in the half-round head of a Bodhisattva (probably Maitreya) with fine detailing to the arched brow, aquiline nose, neat moustache and full lips; the eyes heavily lidded, urna to the forehead, long open lobes to the ears; the hair in multi-stranded curling locks gathered into an ushnisha with brow-band below; heavily cleaned, conserved, and mounted on a custom-made stand; supplied with original old wooden base with collector's label: 'Head of Bodhisattva / Fine grain schist / Gandhara, Northwest Pakistan / 4th century'.

Ellipsoid panel with polychrome landscape scene with a reaper in the foreground advancing holding his scythe over his right arm, wearing a wide-brimmed straw hat, plain doublet and hose; in the middle distance, two figures reaping and a third resting, a shepherd catching a sheep by the hindlegs and a seated woman shearing the fleece from another on the threshold of a barn; in the distance, wooded hills with a castle and town; inked title 'Iŭnius' (June); lead came with two suspension loops; cracked and repaired. 268 grams, 24 cm



Collection of Henry L Hotellier (1908-1993), and by descent until 2021. Encheres Cote d'Opal DeBacker Richmond, 22 May 2021, no.263 [Part].

Ellipsoid panel with polychrome scene depicting a standing figure in doublet with broad collar, plain hose and wide-brimmed felt hat, holding a surveying staff and pointing towards a stone in preparation; mason to the rear wearing a soft felt cap with turned brim and with an apron on his waist, using a mallet and chisel to finish a stone block on a bench; second mason kneeling working on a fresh dressed stone with a mallet and bolster; chisels, square and other tools in the foreground, all set in a landscape with building under construction; cracked and repaired, in a lead came with loop to the upper edge. 271 grams, 26.7 cm



Collection of Henry L Hotellier (1908-1993), and by descent until 2021. Encheres Cote d'Opal DeBacker Richmond, 22 May 2021, no.263 [Part].

Irregular figural panel with polychrome bust of a young female in a front-laced bodice, with amber-yellow hair worn loose, her eyes downcast, confined within a rectangular frame; possibly in the act of meditation or silent prayer; framed with a lead came and two suspension loops. 104 grams, 12 cm



Galerie de Chartres, 8 March 2009. Ex central London gallery.

A composite panel comprising: central figural sections with nimbate Virgin Mary, Saint Mary Magdalene and Saint John below, with deep blue surround; outer frame of deep red square and rectangular panes in lead cames with loops to the upper edge. 1.16 kg, 38 x 26.7 cm



Estate of Dr Woody Cobbs and Mrs Honor Cobbs, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. with Ahlers & Ogletree 1 May 2016, no.394. From a Suffolk, UK, collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12301-221724.

Tongue-shaped panel with polychrome figure of a bishop standing wearing a mitre, alb and chasuble, holding a processional cross in one hand and a large book in the other, head tilted forward and eyes lowered in the act of reading; lead cames with loop to the apex; cracked and repaired. 222 grams, 20 cm



De Baecque Vente aux enchere, 8 June 2023, no.511 (part). Ex central London gallery.

Figural tongue-shaped panel standing nimbate figure in loose robe holding a disc (slice of bread) to his chest and pointing above his head, in a stony landscape; with looped and draped scroll inscribed 'Ego sum panis vivus qui de caelo descendi .Io.VI' (I am the living bread which descended from heaven. John 6:51); in framed with a lead came and with a suspension loop above. 193 grams, 17.7 cm



De Baecque Vente aux enchere, 8 June 2023, no.511 (part). Ex central London gallery.

Carved skull on a short neck with musculature and blood vessels; mandible in place with some teeth in sockets, wisps of hair adhering to the dome of the skull; one zygomatic bone partly absent; square-section socle base. 20.6 kg, 44.5 cm



Acquired on the European art market. Private collection, England. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12302-215651.

This exquisitely carved marble memento mori skull is a remarkable example of the artistry and symbolic depth characteristic of the memento mori tradition. Such pieces were often created as reminders of the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death, serving as a catalyst for reflection on one's own mortality. Crafted from marble, a material prized for its durability and beauty, this skull stands as a testament to the skilled craftsmanship of its creator. The intricate detailing captures the sombre realism of the human skull, evoking both awe and contemplation. Historically, memento mori artefacts were favoured by philosophers, scholars, and collectors who valued their profound existential message, making this piece not only a work of art but also a poignant philosophical statement.

Female bust modelled in the round with hair centre-parted and dressed in ringlets gathered at the nape of the neck and extending to the shoulders; mounted on a socle base. 22.1 kg, 46 cm



Private collection, England. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12303-215648.

This portrait is directly inspired by a Roman model (fig. 1) discovered in 1880, now housed at the Museo Nazionale Romano in Rome and believed to depict Minatia Polla. The young woman depicted showcases the refined features characteristic of Roman feminine nobility, with a rounded oval face, large hemmed eyes, a long nose, and a well-defined, slightly open mouth. Her low forehead is adorned with a sophisticated hairstyle: long, soft locks separated by a middle parting that end in curls, with a few delicate strands falling over her shoulders. She wears a dress with subtle pleats and a round neckline. Upon comparing our portrait with the Roman original of Minatia Polla, it becomes evident that this piece is an exact neoclassical copy of the ancient portrait. The only notable difference is the more pronounced fullness under the chin in our version, which is less evident in the antique model. From the 18th century and throughout the neoclassical era, significant archaeological discoveries sparked immense interest and enthusiasm (as evidenced by Winckelmann), compelling contemporary sculptors to engage with ancient works to showcase their talents. The portrait presented here, given the delicacy of the features and the overall quality of the sculpture, is unmistakably the work of a master sculptor.

Tastefully carved bust of a youthful male with abundant curly hair, broad brow and high cheekbones, mutton-chop whiskers, long sturdy neck; dressed in classical style with a loose mantle covering the broad shoulders and secured at the right shoulder by a knopped fastener. 40.9 kg, 54 cm



Acquired on the North American art market. Private collection, England.

Carved in the half-round, profile portrait bust of a nobleman (probably King Louis XI of France) with tiered cap and collar of S-link chain; later fixing point to reverse. 590 grams, 15 cm



Andre and Marius Dubus collection, Louviers, Normandy, France. Valoir Maison de Ventes aux Encheres, 13 November 2021, lot 170. Ex central London gallery.

Hollow-formed with wavy hair and beard, trim moustache, mouth slightly open; mounted on a custom-made stand. 5.75 kg total, 33.5 cm including stand



Private collection, England. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12305-215650.

Modelled in the round, figure of a woodwose or rustic figure with fur texture over his body; wreath of leaves to brow and sash belt tied at his waist; socket to right hand, hole to top of head; from a candleholder; mounted on a custom-made stand. 1.17 kg total, 19.7 cm including stand



with Christie's, New York, 23 April 2021, no.40. Ex central London gallery.