Doors with Annunciation of the Virgin Scene

A bifacial Yämäṩor Mäsqäl processional cross finial comprising an openwork flat-section panel surmounted by a cross, with interlaced tendril design engraved with four seated saints on both faces in low-relief; tapering tubular socket with circumferential ribbing, lateral angled crosses. 404 grams, 30.5 cm



Ex central London gallery. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

In contrast with the hand cross that is fitted with a grip, the processional cross has a hollow shaft into which the pole supporting the cross is inserted, although the use of both is interconnected in the liturgy and ceremonial aspects of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. In Amharic, it received the name of yämäṩor mäsqäl or "cross to [carry] on a pole", the term mäṩor also meaning a wooden handle. Processional crosses are used on "every qaddase day" occasions - an expression meaning whenever the liturgy is performed. This includes displaying the cross during the reading of the Gospels and other sacred texts, as well as holding it up to be viewed at the end of the service for the final blessing.

Comprising a decorative band formed as a wreath with a lentoid-shaped recess to each shoulder, raised oval bezel with punched decoration, set with a 2nd century A.D. dark blue intaglio with a standing goddess Fortuna holding a cornucopia. 14.55 grams, 30.65 mm overall, 18.25 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q, USA 8, Europe 17.49, Japan 16)



Ex private collection, 1970s. Property of a Nottinghamshire gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Each door a single board with graduated scalloped upper edge, horizontal wooden bars to the reverse, hand-forged iron hinge knuckles and D-section leader to left door; primed with tempera on both faces and painted on the obverse, each with a bottle-green field, blue-grey frontage with vermillion upper storey and gilt roof; Left Door: portion of city wall with tall, narrow building behind, balcony at the upper level with King David standing holding an unfurled scroll, wearing a gilt crown, vermillion tunic and blue mantle; before the wall a winged angel Gabriel holding a frond, wearing a draped mantle over ankle-length chiton and sandals; above, red painted legend 'BOUNA'; to the right edge, a D-section leader painted with red, white and blue diagonal stripes; Right Door: portion of city wall with tall, narrow building behind, balcony at the upper level with King Solomon standing holding a scroll and wearing a gilt crown, similar tunic and mantle to the other; dove descending towards Mary standing before the wall in front of a cushioned throne, with gilt nimbus around her head; red painted legend 'V E S T I R E' above; rare. 13.8 kg total, 132 x 34 cm each



Property of a London, UK, gentleman collector. Accompanied by a copy of a Romanian export licence. 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 search certificate number no.12466-229954. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

The 'royal doors' (Greek: Ωραία Πύλη) mark the entrance to the iconostasis (wooden screen hiding the altar) in an Eastern Orthodox church.