George III Gold Fob Seal Base with Portrait Intaglio

Restrung group of tubular, irregular and other types with tabular pendant centrepiece. 30 grams, 38.5 cm



London, UK, collection, 2000s.

Comprising three hooks, one with an erotic scene, one with face mask and the third with a seated figure. 27.1 grams total, 51-63 mm



From a Dunmow, UK, collection; formed from 1970.

Executed in oil and tempera with painted image of nimbate Mary embracing the nimbate infant Jesus; head of Mary with gilded nimbus and russet-coloured veil; the Virgin is shown in half length, wearing a red-gold fringed maphorion with elaborate golden saltires on the shoulders, over a dark blue robe, visible only on the gold embroidered cuffs; the child touching his mother's chin, holding a furled scroll in his left hand and dressed in blue tunic and wrapped in a gold-orange shawl; on upper left of the Virgin’s head Greek inscriptions 'ΜΡ ΘΥ' (Μήτηρ (τοῦ) Θεοῦ = Mother of God) and beside the Divine Child inscription in Greek letters 'ΙϹ ΧϹ' (ΙΗϹΟΥϹ ΧΡΙϹΤΟϹ = Jesus Christ); inside the nimbus of Christ three letters (only two visible) representing the continuous divine self-existence of Christ as God (O ѾN = The Only One who always exists); rectangular wooden board with mounting slots and bar to reverse. 1.78 kg, 45 x 35.5 cm



Acquired on the UK art market. Private collection, London, UK. 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.12928-246333.

This splendid specimen comes most probably from an ancient private aristocratic Russian household. It has a superb quality and consists in a refined representation of the Mother of God known as Eleousa (Umilyenie in Russian), in which the Virgin tenderly embraces the Christ Child. Characterised by an affectionate embrace of Mary and the Christ Child, the image combines the themes of maternal love and the Passion of Christ.