Admiral Thomas Leeke Massie Cased Cocked Naval Hat and Box

Comprising three sheets joined together, bearing neat and regular lines of red and black inked script, together with associated images; the text including prayers for barya and evil eye, for Shotäläy and magical machination; the images representing two guardian angels at the top and bottom, Archangels Michael and Gabriel, within a geometric frame; at the bottom a picture of a jewelled cross with red triangles inserted within the arms; the owner's name given as Wällättä Maryam Beré. 56 grams, 1.97 m



Ex Adalberto Frezza, 2006. Ex central London gallery.

The sick looked upon such scrolls as it was believed that the images contained in them had healing powers. The scrolls were prepared by unordained clerics, or debatras, employed by Christian families, a practice which continued into the 20th century. Debatras were skilled at diagnosing the causes of illness, and treated them through scrolls such as that offered here, together with herbal and plant-based remedies; the images and prayers were believed to act on the spiritual source of the ailment, whilst the botanical remedies acted upon the physical symptoms. The scrolls covered the length of the afflicted person's body, providing preventative as well as curative protection and were often passed down through generations of the same family. The patients were often illiterate peasants, and the scrolls written in archaic Ge'ez, a liturgical language comprehended only by clerics; the debatras explained the prayers and the images to the sick. The images are designed to be mesmeric, the penetrating gaze of eyes from within the design giving them a sense of power.

Displaying a scene composed of a young man punting, turning his attention towards a duck on the water behind; tiles of varying thickness. 436 grams total, 12.5 x 12.3 - 12.5 x 13 cm



Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.

The Virgin holding the infant Christ, gesturing towards him with her right hand, wearing a carmine red maphorion embellished with golden pearled embroidery, elaborate cuffs and neckline to the himation; Christ making the blessing sign with his hand, the green chiton and orange himation embellished with red folds; both figures nimbate within a shallow recess and framed by a red border, inscription 'ΜΡ ΘΥ' for 'Mother of God' flanking the Virgin's halo, 'IC XC' for 'Jesus Christ' over the Child’s head; winged nimbate ‘Angel of God’ and nimbate Saint Matrona in rectangular panels on either side; split and repaired. 896 grams, 31.2 cm



Ex French gallery, Paris.

For the Orthodox believers, the Mother of God (Theotokos) carries a special meaning. The believers relate to her as a mother who suffered and lived through the death of her son, a figure not only of love and compassion, but also of fortitude and sacrifice.