Lapis Lazuli and Other Bead Group

A naturalistic stone bust of a female figure modelled facing with her head turned right and upwards, her garment draped so as to reveal one of her breasts; on a tiered circular base. 24.4 kg total, 49.5 cm high including stand



English private collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11682-199821

A bronze aquamanile portraying a mounted rider, both horse and rider modelled in the round with semi-naturalistic anatomical and facial features; the horse standing facing forwards, ears pinned back and with short tail; the male figure positioned with one hand on the reins, the other raised to eye level, wearing period costume and boots; rectangular vessel mouth behind horse's forelock with remains of hinge for a lid (absent), conical pouring spout to its lower chest; some splits; modelled on c.15th century German examples. 5.6 kg, 30.5 cm high



Acquired from St Marys Convent, Peekshill, New York. From Emily Gagnon, Dallas, USA. UK private collection, 2002. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11686-197726

The practical function of the aquamanile was to pour clean water over the hands before dining, and in religious contexts to symbolically purify the body before undertaking communion. The origins of the form are often traced to the area of Iran, and it reached Western Europe through contacts with the Byzantine Empire.

A bifacial wooden Qäqwami Mäsqäl processional cross, three-lobed extremities on three sides, decorated with geometric motifs representing crosses of different types, supported by a lanceolate shaft with two round openwork openings; socketted shaft with vertical grooves and fitted with a double horizontal groove; inscriptions on two of the lobed sides of the cross; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 600 grams, 42 cm high (49cm high including stand)



Acquired on the London art market, 2003. UK private collection.

The large wooden crosses are often used by ddbtdras, who are unordained members of the Orthodox Ethiopian clergy, for their liturgical dance. In the countryside, one or two of these crosses are kept on the church window-sills close to the area where the dance is performed, instead of being kept in the church storehouse. Sometimes they are mounted upon a shaft and worn in procession. The characteristic feature of a processional cross is a socketted shaft which serves for mounting them on a strong pole known as masor or handle. Although technically the shaft serves to support the cross, according to the interpretation of Ethiopian church scholars, its real function is to protect the cross from being touched.