Ethiopian Leather Bound Vellum Manuscript

Large-format engraved plate illustrating amulets of various types (figures of Bes and Pataikos, multiple wedjat, Taweret with dorsal pillar, etc.), from the book series La Description de l'Egypte published after the French army's Egyptian campaign (1798-1801), Book A, Volume V, plate 88; mounted in a modern glazed frame. 3 kg total, 70.6 x 53 cm including frame



Private collection, London, UK.

Produced between February 1802 and 1830 on the orders of Napoleon Bonaparte; published between 1809 and 1828. Just 1,000 copies were distributed to various institutions, printed on laid paper with an 'Égypte ancienne et moderne' watermark. The book is subtitled Recueil des observations et des recherches qui ont été faites en Égypte pendant l’expédition de l’Armée française, publié par les ordres de Sa Majesté l’Empereur Napoléon le Grand (Gathering of observations and discoveries which were made in Egypt during the expedition of the French army, published on the orders of His Majesty the Emperor Napoleon the Great). It was the world's first encyclopedia devoted exclusively to the remains of ancient Egypt.

With blue enamel and framed by a raised border; Saint Julitta and her son, Cyricus, Saint Gregory the Theologian and Saint John the Chrysostom standing beside them at the centre; three half-length figures above: St. Paraskeva (right), Eudokia, and Barbara (left); OCS inscriptions identifying the saints framing the scene; on the top a deesis, with Christ Pantokrator at the centre, flanked by Saint Mary and Saint John the Precursor; at the top left corner Archangel Michael, on the top right corner the Archangel Gabriel; beneath Saint Gabriel, in vertical order, Saint Paul, Saint Gregory the Theologian, Saint Nicholas of Myra, Saint Demetrios; beneath Saint Michael, in vertical order, Saint Peter, Saint Basil the Great, Saint John Chrysostomos and Saint George; in the last row, nearby Saint Andrew, at the centre, the Archangel Raphael, with sword and cross. 360 grams, 14 cm



Acquired from Chris Martin-Zakheim, Iconastas, 5 Piccadilly Arcade, London SW1. From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s.

This icon was intended for private devotion, often carried by pilgrims and Orthodox believers for spiritual protection. St. Julyttas and her son Cyricus (Ки́рик и Иули́тта), among the most venerated figures in Russian tradition, are depicted in the centre, surrounded by other saints, a symbol of the communion of the righteous in front of the Divine Deesis.

The horse in advancing pose with its head turned to the right and left foreleg raised, on a rectangular base; the female rider erect with her left arm held extended and her right placed on the horse's shoulder; remains of painted detailing to the robe; repaired. 2.7 kg, 40.7 cm high



Acquired on the UK art market.