Amber Bead Necklace

Comprising: bifacial axe-blade pendant; bifacial disc pendant with equal-arm cross and king with orb and sceptre, inset glass cabochons to both faces. 123 grams total, 44-80 mm



Acquired on the European art market since the early 2000s. From the private Northern Ireland collection of R.M.

Painted on a wooden board with raised frame, gessoed surface with painting of Mary adored by four kneeling females around her and three winged angels above; Mary clad in deep red floor-length robe with dark blue mantle; bearded God in upper corner releasing a dove (The Holy Spirit) towards her; Mary's nimbus emphasised with a gilt metal crescent around the head, with repoussé wreath detailing and pellets to the border; pins and suspension link to one edge of the frame. 755 grams, 21.6 x 29 cm



Ex Mehlis Auctions, Berlin, Germany. From an important collection of icons.

The view of Mary as the Comforter of the Afflicted is one of the oldest in the church. Here the painter combines the theme of the consoling mother with that of her being calling by God as Mother of Life, with the angels in devotion, while desperate human beings crowd at her feet. Here, God is sending his spirit in the form of a dove, to sanction the union between heaven and earth confirmed by Mary, who is the vas Christi.

Comprising a mustard glazed biconical pot with tripod feet, a squat brown-glazed pot with loop handle and a broad pot with carinated profile and two loop handles to the shoulder. 3.25 kg total, 24-26 cm



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