Carnelian Gemstone with Hebrew Inscription

Saint Anthony the Great on the left, represented in monastic dress holding a scroll of holy writings with his left hand; Saint Charalambos dressed as a bishop, with a green sticharion embroidered in gold, covered by a pink gold embroidered phelonion, a gold embroidered square epigonation with blue edges, and a long orange gold embroidered epitrachelion, holding a gold covered gospel with the image of Christ's resurrection with his left hand; tempera on wood. 558 grams, 25 x 18.6 cm



Acquired from Portobello Road, London, in the 1990s. Property of a London, UK, gentleman collector. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Saint Anthony the Great, who lived in the 3rd-4th century A.D., was the father of Eastern Monachism. According to the tradition, Saint Charalambos was martyred in 202 A.D. He is the protector of prosperity and health.

A designer necklace composed of biconical banded beads interspersed with light-coloured scaraboids and one amuletic pendant, central feature a large tooth-shaped pendant; restrung. 83 grams, 44 cm



From the family collection of a Hampstead gentleman; formerly acquired in the 1980s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

In late 15th century style, showing praying nimbate Mary at the centre, dressed in a blue cloak and a long white cassock, Mary Magdalene at her side with her head raised towards the sky; eleven Apostles surrounding the women, dressed in long tunics and cloaks, receiving the Holy Spirit in the form of small tongues resting on their heads; architectural background and Flemish inscription ‘DE ZENDING VAN DE HEILIGE GEEST’ (The Descent of the Holy Spirit) below; some restoration. 4.5 kg, 65 x 53.5 cm

Some restoration.

From a war-damaged church in Belgium. Ex property of a late Northumberland collector. From a private collection, Derbyshire, UK. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

The scene represents the Christian feast of the Pentecost, described in Acts, 2,1-4, when the eleven Apostles, gathered in Jerusalem together with Mary Mother of God and Mary of Magdala (the latter only according to some traditions) received the Holy Spirit as a mighty rushing wind and under the form of tongues of fire. According to the Christian tradition, this event represents the fulfilment of the promise that Christ will baptise his followers with the Holy Spirit and fire.