Medieval and Later Ball Button Group

Saint Anthony the Great on the left, represented in monastic dress holding a scroll of holy writings with his left hand; Saint Charalambos dressed as a bishop, with a green sticharion embroidered in gold, covered by a pink gold embroidered phelonion, a gold embroidered square epigonation with blue edges, and a long orange gold embroidered epitrachelion, holding a gold covered gospel with the image of Christ's resurrection with his left hand; tempera on wood. 558 grams, 25 x 18.6 cm



Acquired from Portobello Road, London, in the 1990s. Property 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.

Saint Anthony the Great, who lived in the 3rd-4th century A.D., was the father of the Eastern Monachism. According to the tradition, Saint Charalambos was martyrised in 202 A.D. He is the protector of prosperity and health

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.

Mainly ellipsoid carnelian cloisons with incuse animal imagery. 15 grams total, 14-22 mm



Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a North London, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.