Inscribed Glass Gem

Painted on a wooden board with raised frame, gessoed surface with painting of Mary adored by four kneeling females around her and three winged angels above; Mary clad in deep red floor-length robe with dark blue mantle; bearded God in upper corner releasing a dove (The Holy Spirit) towards her; Mary's nimbus emphasised with a gilt metal crescent around the head, with repoussé wreath detailing and pellets to the border; pins and suspension link to one edge of the frame. 755 grams, 21.6 x 29 cm



Ex Mehlis Auctions, Berlin, Germany. From an important collection of icons.

The view of Mary as the Comforter of the Afflicted is one of the oldest in the church. Here the painter combines the theme of the consoling mother with that of her being calling by God as Mother of Life, with the angels in devotion, while desperate human beings crowd at her feet. Here, God is sending his spirit in the form of a dove, to sanction the union between heaven and earth confirmed by Mary, who is the vas Christi.

With hollow sockets to the eyes, top ends of longbones flanking the mandible. 18.5 grams, 26 mm



From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s.

Lentoin in plan with facetted surface, alternating plain and gilt sections; underside with frieze of reserved birds, segmented foot. 1.38 kg, 34 cm



Private collection, London, UK. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12444-226862.

The kashkool is a beggar's bowl used by itinerant dervishes in Iran and elsewhere.