Loading, please wait...
LOT 2215
Greek Gold Thread Needle Point with Mary and Jesus in Silver with Inscription to the Archbishop of Jerusalem
DATED 1698 A.D.
4 in. (82 grams, 10 cm).
Depicting Mary holding a lily flower with her right hand and supporting infant Jesus with her left arm; Jesus crowned by a crossed diadem and holding a gospel in his hand; background in gold thread, framed in a circular silver frame with dedicatory inscription to the reverse from a certain Alexander to the Jerusalem’s Archbishop Dositheus, reciting: + Τω ΜΑΚΑΡΙΟΤΑΤω ΚΑΙ CΟΦωΤΑΤω ΠΑΤΡΙΑΡΧΗ ΙΕΡΟCΟΛΥΜωΝ ΔΟCΙΘΕω ΤΙΜΗC ΕΝΕΚΕΝ – μηνι cεπτεμβριω 1698 – Αλεξανδρος – To His Beatitude and Enlighted Patriarch of Jerusalem Dositheus, as a sign of respect – September 1698 – Alexander; internal padding with floral decoration.
ProvenanceProperty 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.
Cf. Hellenic Ministry of Culture, Embroiderers, Embroideresses & Embroideries in Constantinople, (17th-19th c.), Athens, 2008, nos.BXM 21078, 20717, 20718, 21069, 21072, 21055, for similar embroideries.
FootnotesThe art of gold embroidery developed in Constantinople, with its own guild, and continued also after the end of the empire. Important artists like the legendary Despoineta, Mariora, Eusebia and Kokona, were famous in the 'painterly' rendering of religious subjects, not with the brush, but with the needle: red satin, and silver and gold wire created dresses, shadows, volumes with a sense of depth and sculptural quality. The artists conceived their works like a true prayer: a hope, based on human creativity.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
LOT 2215
Greek Gold Thread Needle Point with Mary and Jesus in Silver with Inscription to the Archbishop of Jerusalem
Sold for (Inc. bp): £520
-
.jpg)
Ethiopian Wooden Diptych Icon of the Virgin and Child with Gabra Manfus Qeddus and Saints
17th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,210
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. 453 grams, 21.8 x 19 cm
Sir 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.
In 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. -
George I Engraved Gold Memento Mori Skull Ring with Black Enamel
Dated 1723 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,120
D-shaped in section with black enamelled outer face and reserved skull, bones and foliage; engraving to inner face 'M.P. ob. 19 Aug .1723 aet 47' and maker's mark 'D.M'. 4.99 grams, 20.97 mm overall, 17.41 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N 1/2, USA 6 3/4, Europe 14.35, Japan 13)
Acquired on the UK art market. Property of an East Sussex collector. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12555-231633. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
This maker's mark is not listed in the standard works, e.g. Jackson, Sir C.J., English Goldsmiths and Their Marks, London, 1921. -
Georgian 'Thames' Iron Scissors
Mid 18th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Pointillé decoration to the body, keeled blades and small loop handles, mechanism still working. 54.1 grams, 17 cm
Found on the Thames foreshore in the 1980s. Property of an Essex collector. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
