Byzantine Cameo with Virgin Mary and Archangel Gabriel

Broad stone disc with band of carved roundels to the border, dished central panel; the border comprising seventeen socket roundels with rosette and tendril ornament between, each roundel with reserved figural or emblematic ornament: an equal-arm cross with ivy leaves in the spandrels; to either side of this, a reserved regardant peacock; next to these, in pairs a calf's forequarters on each side; next, a goat, then a bull, then a regardant bird, a ram, a lamb and a peacock, remains of original pigment; reinforced with a steel backing and claws; accompanied by professionally made 'lift-on' wall brackets for display. 87 kg, 102 cm including wall bracket



Acquired in London from a UK collector in the early 2000s. Previously with an Austrian collector in London. Formerly in a North American collection. From a London gentleman, 2000s. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12400-226356

The beasts have symbolic importance, such as the peacock for resurrection, the lamb as the 'lamb of god', and so on.

Flat-section cruciform mount with stub arms and attachment point at one end; high-relief saltires, hoops and other detailing. 357 grams, 21.5 cm



Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. From the family collection of Mr S.A., Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection since the late 1990s.

Discoid in plan with integral stub handle; central Maltese cross within a herringbone ring. 319 grams, 95 mm



From the collection of Sir Daniel Donohue [1919-2014] and the Countess Bernardine [1904-1968], Los Angeles, USA; the collection was assembled in the 1950-1960s, but before March 1968. with Bonhams, London, 13 April 2011, no.310 [Part]. Acquired on the English art market, 2011. Private collection, Europe. Accompanied by copies of the relevant Bonhams catalogue pages.