English Miniature Portrait Pair

Iron flat-section shaft with three tiered cross-bars, the two lowest each with five iron lamp-bowls to the forward face; above, a U-shaped bar with a lamp bowl at each upper end; top of the shaft developing to an anthropomorphic torso with ellipsoid head and two narrow arms raised vertically; chain around the neck with hand-forged extinguishing spoon; mounted on a square base; Dogon, Mali, workmanship. 6.25 kg total, 132 cm including stand



From the private collection of Dr Hans-Joachim Koloss, Berlin, Germany, 1975-2002. Gorny & Mosch, Munich, Germany, auction 279, no.410. Accompanied by a copy of the Gorny & Mosch invoice and illustrated catalogue listing. Accompanied by a copy of the German cultural export licence. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

The figure is probably a Nommo, a primordial ancestral spirit in Dogon cosmogony. A Nommo is usually considered to be amphibious, hermaphroditic and fish-like. They are typically depicted in Dogon art with a humanoid upper torso, and a fish-like lower torso and tail.

Comprising seven stamp seals, two cylinder seals, a stone amuletic pendant, a cabochon with human face, and a hexagonal insert with profile bust. 141 grams total, 19-36 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.