Archaic Chinese Style Bronze Vessel

Hexafoil bowl with a band of inset blue teardrop inlays on an inlaid wire stem; below, a flower with inset rubies and other inlays, inlaid wire frame. 995 grams, 18.5 cm wide



Property of a South West London gentleman.

Vellum leaf with pricked guidelines for placement of two columns of red-ink and black-ink text in Ge'ez script with red detailing; recto with two columns of text above a polychrome painted miniature showing a nimbate Mary beside a recumbent bearded figure among buildings with a winged angel above; verso with twenty-two lines of text in two columns. 89 grams, 35.5 x 30 cm



Previously in the David Buxton collection (1910-2003), until the late 1990s.

The scene should represent the miracle of the Virgin Mary to Damianus the scribe: Damianus wrote the name of the Virgin Mary with gold and silver instead of with common black ink. The Virgin Mary appeared to Damianus on his death bed and promises to write his name upon a pillar of gold in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Mixed group of silver-coloured metal pendants with inset stones, including one with a teardrop cabochon flanked by opposed birds above a spiral motif. 86 grams total, 57-74 mm



Property of a South West London gentleman.