Pair of stained glass window panels comprising: a kneeling female figure in a blue robe in a landscape, within an arch with heraldic supporters on the capitals; with heater shield lower right with mask on a barry field; a kneeling bearded male in a landscape within a lancet arch with heater shield lower left, running goat in fess beneath a mullet; both from the circle of Hans Funk, each supplied with frame including integral backlight, 12V DC transformer and three-pin plug. 16.5 kg total, 59 x 43 cm including frame

Kept in a private collection for several decades, Zurich, Switzerland.
with Schuler Auktionen, 24 March 2021, no.529.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12551-230650.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Comprising: a wooden cross with carved scenes from the life of Christ (Nativity and others to one face, Crucifixion and others to the other face) housed in a filigree frame with beaded wire borders to the circular openings; three large amethyst beads to the arms, smaller coral and glass beads to each face; cannetille balustered stem and domed base. 140 grams, 21.8 cm

Ex Iconastas, London, SW1, UK, in 2004.
Ex Mayfair Gallery Limited, London W1, UK, in 2005.
Property of a London, UK, gentleman collector.

Accompanied by a copy of the Mayfair Gallery invoice dated 10 January 2005.
Accompanied by a copy of the Iconastas invoice dated 18 February 2004.
Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12488-229957.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Cf. similar crosses with ornaments, in Pelekanidos, S.M., Christou, P.K., Mavropolos-Tsiumi, X., Kada, N., The Treasures of Mont Athos, Vol.I, Protaton, M. Dionisiou, M. Koutloumousiou, M. Xeropotamou, M. Gregoriou (in Greek), Athens, 1973, fig. p.43 (Donisiou Monastery); idem, The Treasures of Mont Athos, Vol.II, Iviron, M. Panteleimonos, M. Esfigmenou, M. Xilandarios (in Greek), Athens, 1975, fig. p.18 (Iviron Monastery); idem, The Treasures of Mont Athos, Vol.III, M. Megistes Lavras, M. Pantokrator, M. Docheiariou, M. Karakalou, M. Filotheou, M. Aghiou Paulou (in Greek), Athens, 1979, fig. p.165 (Docheiariou Monastery); cf. also Beckwith, J., ‘Crosses from Mount Athos in the Gambier-Parry Collection’ in The Burlington Magazine, vol.109, no.768, The Gambier-Parry Bequest to the University of London (Mar.,1967), pp.173-174, figs.92-93.

Comprising: a wooden cross with carved scenes from the life of Christ (Nativity and others to one face, Crucifixion and others to the other face) housed in a filigree frame; addorsed winged beasts supporting the arms of the cross; three coral beads to the arms, smaller glass beads to each face; balustered stem and domed base. 170 grams, 21.5 cm

Ex Iconastas, London SW1, UK, in 2004.
Property of a London, UK, gentleman collector.

Accompanied by a copy of the Iconastas invoice dated 18 February 2004.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Showing the Evangelists and the Crucifixion with Saint Mary, Saint John and Saint Longinos on one side with Greek inscription 'STAVROSIS (Η ΣΤΑΥΡΟΣΙΣ = the Crucifixion)' above; the Baptism on the other side with Greek inscription 'VANGELISMOU (Η ΒΑΝΓΕΛΙΣΜΟΥ = the Apparition)' above, evangelists depicted above and below with the angels Gabriel and Michael to the sides. 93 grams, 19.5 cm

Acquired from Portobello Road, London, in the 1980s.
Property of a London, UK, gentleman collector.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Cf. similar cross with ornaments in the Dionisiou Monastery, in Pelekanidos, S.M., Christou, P.K., Mavropolos-Tsiumi, X., Kada, N., The Treasures of Mont Athos, Vol.I, Protaton, M. Dionisiou, M. Koutloumousiou, M. Xeropotamou, M. Gregoriou (in Greek), Athens, 1973, fig. p.43.

The term ‘Dodekaorton cross’ is the most appropriate for this category of crosses and is used in other codices of the post-Byzantine period. These small crosses were used by the Hieromonks for blessings to the faithful and in various processions and liturgies, and were often mounted with frames made of precious materials. The carving of wooden crosses is regarded as an art traditionally practiced by Athonite monks. Ioannis Komninos in 1698 and the Jesuit priest Braconnier in 1706 both refer to the carved wooden pectorals and crosses made by the monks in order to provide themselves with a livelihood.

Silver-gilt with architectural detailing, arched voids to reveal an inner carved wood cross with figural and other ornament; attachment socket to foot. 171 grams, 14 cm

Acquired on the European art market before 2000.
Ex property of a Dutch collector.
Property of a Californian, USA, collector.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Each door a single board with graduated scalloped upper edge, horizontal wooden bars to the reverse, hand-forged iron hinge knuckles and D-section leader to left door; primed with tempera on both faces and painted on the obverse, each with a bottle-green field, blue-grey frontage with vermillion upper storey and gilt roof; Left Door: portion of city wall with tall, narrow building behind, balcony at the upper level with King David standing holding an unfurled scroll, wearing a gilt crown, vermillion tunic and blue mantle; before the wall a winged angel Gabriel holding a frond, wearing a draped mantle over ankle-length chiton and sandals; above, red painted legend 'BOUNA'; to the right edge, a D-section leader painted with red, white and blue diagonal stripes; Right Door: portion of city wall with tall, narrow building behind, balcony at the upper level with King Solomon standing holding a scroll and wearing a gilt crown, similar tunic and mantle to the other; dove descending towards Mary standing before the wall in front of a cushioned throne, with gilt nimbus around her head; red painted legend 'V E S T I R E' above; rare. 13.8 kg total, 132 x 34 cm each

Property of a London, UK, gentleman collector.

Accompanied by a copy of a Romanian export licence.
Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12466-229954.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Cf. Popescu, G.A., Cristiani d'Oriente, spiritualità, arte e potere nell'Europa Post-Bizantina, Milano, 1999, fig.69, for similar; cf. also Baboș, A., ’Royal Doors of Maramures beyond their appearances’ in Museikon, a journal of Religious Art and Culture, 6/2022, pp.263-294, for similar doors and discussion.

The 'royal doors' (Greek: Ωραία Πύλη) mark the entrance to the iconostasis (wooden screen hiding the altar) in an Eastern Orthodox church.

Showing the standing Taxiarches (commanders of the Heavenly Army) Michael (A[rchangel] M[ichael]) and Gabriel (A[rchangel] G[abriel]); Michael dressed in pseudo-Roman scale armour worn over a garment with hanging pteryges, partially covered by his military cloak, the raised right hand holding a sword and the left hand resting on a shield; Gabriel dressed in long mantion (a cloak fastened under the neck), long court dress with embroidery, holding the messenger’s flower in one hand and the Globe of the Divine Power over the world in the other; floral frame; fabric mark in Turkish and Greek (ω) near the right shoulder of Saint Michael. 285 grams, 16.2 x 12 cm

Property of a London, UK, gentleman collector.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Cf. for an icon of Virgin Mary in similar style, produced in 19th century Istanbul, Geelmuyden Bulgurlu, V., Ulf, A., Lindgren, N., Bodin, H., Balicka-Witakowska, E., Five essays on icons, Stockholm & Istanbul, 2005, fig.3, p.26.

The icon is from a Constantinople workshop circa 1860 A.D. During the Turkokratia (the Turkish domination) the Orthodox inhabitants of Constantinople continued to entrust their protection to the powerful military commanders of the Heavenly Host, the Archangels. Following the Slavic style, the icons were often covered by embossed silver plates (riza), generally reproducing the same figures on the painted wood.

Ellipsoid in plan with fluted rim, sidewall with repoussé vinescroll inhabited by a stag, doe, hares and hound; base with an eagle seizing a hare and a child riding a hunting dog; central stepped lozenge with reserved winged griffin, balustered knop. 333 grams, 21.8 cm

From the collection of a gentleman collector, London, UK, 2000s.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Comprising a parcel-gilt raised discoid base with fluted hexafoil developing to a central column with braided collar and openwork crown socket; inset portion of natural coral branch; figure of St Sebastian modelled in the round with three arrows piercing his shoulders and chest and the stub of a fourth in his shin, portrayed with gilt loincloth and centre-parted hair, braided wire bonds to the left wrist and one ankle' old collector's numbers 'V.590.3H1 7' and '18688' to underside. 190 grams, 12.4 cm

F.K.A. Huelsmann, Hamburg.
with Christie's, Geneva, 13 May 1981, no.7.
Private collection, South Germany.
with Hargesheimer & Gunther, 22 September 2017, no.1307.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12507-230673.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

This lot will require a CITES licence when exported outside the UK.

Two boards from an episcopal mitre with linen facing and dense silver-thread foliage ornament to each; housed in a custom-made wooden case with linen lining, leather-covered with tooled and gilt detailing to both faces and sides, episcopal arms to upper face with Catholic episcopal headgear over a heater shield with three fleurs-de-lys in chief and a bend sinister lozengy; to the reverse, five radiating arms pierced to allow straps to pass beneath to secure the lid. 1.38 kg, 43 cm

Francesca Galloway Ltd, 2001.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Woven fabric panel, possibly a chasuble or other ecclesiastical vestment, in burgundy-red and gold-yellow with supplementary mounting strip to straight edge, braided binding to curved outer edge; mounted on a modern fabric backing. 1.03 kg total, 211 cm

with Sotheby's, London, 26 November 2003, no.204.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Portable shrine with geometric ornament and crosses to the outer face, opening doors to reveal a diptych with image of Mary Theotokos and Child, escorted by angels Gabriel and Michael with drawn swords, on the left; on the right, Abune Gabra Manfus Qeddus with hands raised, nimbate figures of Takla Haymanot and Ewostatewos with yellow and blue garments on the right; on the lower right corner Saint George (Bet Gorgis) killing the dragon. 453 grams, 21.8 x 19 cm

Sir Alistair McAlpine, circa 2000.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

See Chojnacki, S., 'Notes on Art in Ethiopia in the 16th Century: an Enquiry into the Unknown Author(s)' in Journal of Ethiopian Studies, Vol. 9, July 1971, No. 2 pp. 21-97, fig.10, for similar scene; Chojnaki, S., 'The Iconography of St. George in Ethiopia: Part II: St. George, the Dragon-Killer' in Journal of Ethiopian Studies, Vol. 11, No. 2 (July 1973), pp.51-92, icon I.E.S. collection no.3887; cf. also Heldman, M., Munro-Hay Stuart, C., African Zion, The sacred art of Ethiopia, Yale University Press, 1993, cat.11,13,102, for icons in similar style, and p.7.

In the Ethiopian icons, Gabra Manfas Qeddus (Servant of the Holy Spirit) the famous hermit whose sanctity tamed the wild beasts, is often represented. The exterior faces of these diptych panels, like the smaller bilateral diptychs of the 17th century, were carved with centralised cross designs that reflects the carved designs of contemporary wooden altar tablets.