Brass Candlestick with Calligraphy

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 two silver-coloured metal pendants, one a square with reserved horsemen figures, the other a repoussé icon of Kali trampling a fallen foe, with multi-stranded braid; offered with a domed stone disc with white-metal frame, inlaid calligraphic text. 125 grams total, 3.1-73 cm



Property of a South West London gentleman.

With balustered tubular body and long spike below, fixing lugs to reverse. 11.3 grams, 65 mm



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.