Framed Watercolour Painting

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.

Mixed group including white, grey, ochre and other types in various sizes. 693 grams total, 13-35 mm



Found Billingsgate spoil from the Thames foreshore, London, UK, circa 1984. Property of an Essex collector.

Restrung graduated group of polyhedral lapis lazuli beads with modern beaded and rosette spacers; pelta-shaped pendant with calligraphic script on a textured surface 142 grams, 64 cm



From the private collection of a North West London, UK, gentleman.