Bactrian Style Lapis Lazuli Bead Necklace

Comprising trefoil domes adorned with filigree flowers each with four petals, central jewelled setting, surrounded by a further ten jewelled settings, repaired hook to reverse. 5.51 grams, 28 mm



Previously acquired in 1989. UK gallery, early 2000s. Old accession number inked to verso: '89.522'.

With trumpet-shaped bezel and carinated hoop; incised christogram to the bezel with opposed s-scrolls; inscription to the hoop: IN . HONORE[M] . XPIS . TRINITATIS / ELEMOSINA . FRNITATS . ALLO. 7.78 grams, 29.58 mm overall, 19.49 mm internal diameter (approximate size British T, USA 9 1/2, Europe 21.26, Japan 20)



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

Vellum leaf with pricked guidelines for placement of two columns of black-ink text in Ge'ez script with red detailing; recto with nineteen lines of text; verso with text and polychrome painted scene of figures beside a house and distribution of drink. 13 grams, 26.5 x 23.5 cm



Acquired on the New York art market, circa 2000. Ex central London gallery.

With the royal patronage for her cult given by the Gondar’s Kings, Virgin Mary's role as a maker of miracles became predominant and apocalyptic metaphors and narrative gained importance in pictorial representations, such as those in the manuscripts. Her eschatological role continued to evolve until the eighteenth century, when she was portrayed in an icon as a celestial empress.