Copper La Pieta Plaque

A bifacial wooden cross comprising intertwined elements with trefoil finials, resting on a tall stem decorated with wavy lines enclosed within a geometric frame, the stem resting on a tabula with an inscription on the front and vegetal decorative element on the back, rhomboidal termination with inscribed cross on both sides; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 600 grams, 43 cm high (50.7 cm high including stand)



Acquired from Owen Hargreaves, 2003. UK private collection.

The Ethiopian manual cross is usually divided in three parts: the cross at the top; the handle; and a square element, the tablet, at the base. It is not easy to define the origin of the cross-borne tablets. There are three suppositions as to what they signify: according to one, the tablet represents the earth with its four corners. According to the second one, the tablet represents Adam's grave on Calvary. The third one is that it represents the Tabot, the highest relic of Ethiopia, the Ark of the Covenant. The cross belongs to the Kernebege (Horns of Ram) group, where the tips of the cross are reminiscent of ram's horns or trefoils. Inscriptions are only very rarely found on wooden, manual crosses like this maskal. They usually give the name of the owner or donor.

A mixed group of mainly bronze watch keys, some with manufacturer's name. 75.4 grams total, 20-55 mm



Found Suffolk.

A naturalistic bronze female figure modelled standing contrapposto, nude, looking down towards her feet, one arm reaching over her head towards her neck, the other resting by her side, her weight placed on her right leg, hair tied into an elaborate bun with a ribbon, short ringlets falling down her nape and the end of the ribbon cascading over her shoulder, along the side of her right breast and down to her thigh, where she is holding the end; mounted on a custom-made display base. 754 grams, 20.5 cm high



English private collection.

With stylistic similarities to work by Giovanni Bologna; possibly Italian or Northern European.