Marble Head of a Lady

Rectangular plaque with enamel cloisonné scene of Mary and Joseph during the flight in Egypt; left, the door of the inn open with Saint Aphrodisius emerging, head bowed; centre Jacob, stepbrother of Jesus, advancing with rod and flag over his shoulder, holding the reins of the donkey; right Mary perched on the donkey's back and St Joseph supporting infant Christ. 337 grams, 183 mm



From an old French collection. Acquired on the French art market circa 2000. From the personal collection of Derek Rogers, Suffolk, UK.

The plaque shows a version of the 'flight into Egypt' that became popular in Holland in the 16th century, it shows Saint Aphrodisius (venerated by the French as the first bishop of Beziers) welcoming the Holy family to his house, in the background is the palm tree that is said to have bent to shelter the mother and baby from the sun; as shown on this plaque, earlier iconography shows Joseph sometimes carrying the child on his shoulders while the donkey is led by an older boy who may represent the Lord's brother Jacob, who according the tradition of the Orthodox Church is interpreted to be one of the Joseph's sons by a previous marriage.

Mixed group comprising of mostly silver issue coins, each worn flat and coin bent into a double-curved 's' profile for use as a token of love. 27.65 grams total, 19-25mm.



Found on various UK sites since 1974. Property of an Essex collector.

The custom of giving a bent coin as a love-token is known from the 17th century in England. The coins were usually smoothed to obliterate the monarch’s head and then bent twice; sometimes they were engraved with initials or symbols such as hearts or knots. If the sweetheart accepted the youth's advances, she kept the token; if not, she disposed of the coin. The tradition is referred to in the children's rhyme 'There was a crooked man, and he walked a crooked mile, he found a crooked sixpence on a crooked stile.'

A repoussé plaque presenting a religious scene: Christ seated in majesty surrounded by putti and holding the orb and sceptre above a throng of nimbate apostles, Saint Paul and Saint Peter at the centre; gilt border and wooden frame. 1.4 kg, 40 x 40 cm



Private collection, England.