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LOT 0374
Ethiopian Wooden Diptych Icon of the Virgin and Child with Gabra Manfus Qeddus and Saints
17TH CENTURY A.D.
8 1/2 x 7 1/2 in. (453 grams, 21.8 x 19 cm).
Portable shrine with geometric ornament and crosses to the outer face, opening doors to reveal a diptych with image of Mary Theotokos and Child, escorted by angels Gabriel and Michael with drawn swords, on the left; on the right, Abune Gabra Manfus Qeddus with hands raised, nimbate figures of Takla Haymanot and Ewostatewos with yellow and blue garments on the right; on the lower right corner Saint George (Bet Gorgis) killing the dragon. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceSir Alistair McAlpine, circa 2000.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
See Chojnacki, S., 'Notes on Art in Ethiopia in the 16th Century: an Enquiry into the Unknown Author(s)' in Journal of Ethiopian Studies, Vol. 9, July 1971, No. 2 pp. 21-97, fig.10, for similar scene; Chojnaki, S., 'The Iconography of St. George in Ethiopia: Part II: St. George, the Dragon-Killer' in Journal of Ethiopian Studies, Vol. 11, No. 2 (July 1973), pp.51-92, icon I.E.S. collection no.3887; cf. also Heldman, M., Munro-Hay Stuart, C., African Zion, The sacred art of Ethiopia, Yale University Press, 1993, cat.11,13,102, for icons in similar style, and p.7.
FootnotesIn the Ethiopian icons, Gabra Manfas Qeddus (Servant of the Holy Spirit) the famous hermit whose sanctity tamed the wild beasts, is often represented. The exterior faces of these diptych panels, like the smaller bilateral diptychs of the 17th century, were carved with centralised cross designs that reflects the carved designs of contemporary wooden altar tablets.
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LOT 0374
Ethiopian Wooden Diptych Icon of the Virgin and Child with Gabra Manfus Qeddus and Saints
Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,210
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Stuart Silver Seal Matrix with Tall Ship
17th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £247
With hexagonal-section shank, collar and round suspension loop; to the circular face an intaglio design of a three-masted warship under sail with pennants to mastheads and with gunports to side; one facet stamped 'H', old collector's inked reference '815'. 5.29 grams, 25.16 mm
Formerly in a significant private English collection of seal matrices formed since 1987. Ex Horton collection, UK. Property of a Californian, USA, collector. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. -
Russian Icon with Mother of God and Christ
Early 19th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £312
Representing the Hodegetria, with Mary indicating towards Jesus with her right hand, holding him with her left hand; on the right, a small image of Saint Tekla with veiled head and a long tunica talaris, holding a holy book; the cover set with pearls and semi-precious stones; dedicatory inscription plate in Cyrillic; inscriptions in Greek on the wooden background 'ΜΡ ΘΥ' for 'Mother of God', 'IC XC' for 'Jesus Christ'; over the small image of Saint Tekla Greek inscription 'Ο AΓIA TEKLA'; tempera on wood. 650 grams, 23 x 19.5 cm
Property of a London, UK, gentleman collector. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
The icon, probably Greek in origin and later covered with beat work in Russia, shows the Virgin in the attitude of Mother of Consolation, or in that of Hodegetria. This is the iconographical type of Virgin Mary one encounters most frequently in an Eastern Orthodox church or home, Hodegetria meaning 'Mother of God Pointing the Way'. The Virgin Mary is shown with the Christ on her lap, her eyes looking at the viewer and her right hand indicating Christ, seeming to say 'Follow Him'. Later icons of the Hodegetria were adorned with gilt-silver covers and jewels like this one. -
Roman Style Male Statuette
20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £189
Hollow-formed and modelled in the round, nude male advancing with proper right arm bent and fist clenched, hollowed to accept the shaft of a spear; left arm tapered for attachment of a shield; contrapposto stance; after the antique; mounted on a custom-made stand. 321 grams, 16.1 cm (418 grams total, 20 cm including stand)
Ex London, UK, collection, 2000s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
