Cycladic Idol Group

Leaf from a vellum manuscript with hand-coloured image: Mary, right, nimbate in red floor-length robe and blue mantle holding aloft a soul in yellow kilt, its neck seized by two crouching winged dark-skinned demons; a third demon, left, with protruding tongue seizing the upper body of another soul; foreground: two male figures seated on low stools, each with vellum page in one hand and quill in the other; panels of red Coptic text above the scribes, beside their souls; the right edge damaged, left edge folded and pierced for binding. 40 grams, 29.5 x 26 cm



Collection of David Buxton (1913-2003), author of 'Travels in Ethiopia', 1949.

The image is related to the tale of Virgin Mary and the two brothers who were scribes. In this tale, Mary rescues the souls of the scribes who had committed sins whilst they were engaged in writing a copy of the Book of the Miracles of the Virgin Mary.

Irregular panels of painted glass mounted in lead cames; one depicting Gothic architectural features including a conical turret roof with a gilt crown above, quatrefoil panel in a window spandrel, curled and scrolled embellishments; the other, a group of winged angels in flight, descending with sky in the background. 5.2 kg total, 46-52 cm



Acquired from Hight Road Auctions, Chiswick, UK, in 2013. Property of a Kent collector.

Comprising three reproduction items: figure of Priapus; Venus with hands raised to he hair; dancer with crimped collar and skirt. 77 grams total, 57-62 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.