Medieval Stained Glass Panel with the Education of Christ with St Anne and the Virgin

Intended for a religious statue, with foot-shaped recesses to the top face; the left side with a painted polychrome scene comprising Saint Jerome and Saint Ambrose with Saint Michael holding a sword and scales for weighing souls; the right side painted with a scene comprising Saint Gregory the Great, Saint Augustine and Saint John the Evangelist; both scenes set with gilt architectural frame; the reverse with the Holy Spirit depicted as a dove. 1.95 kg, 16.5 cm high

Very fine condition.

Ex Julius Böhler Ltd, Munich, Germany, 2000. Ex central London gallery. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11741-202052.

The base probably housed a statue of Christ. The painting, although mannerist, reflects the style of the Germanic Renaissance. The saints surrounding the dove are easily recognisable by their attributes. St Jerome as a penitent was often represented in front of a crucifix, next to him the hourglass and the skull, symbolising fleeing time leading to death. St Ambrose is represented with his whip, defending people from the enemies of the faith. St Michael is holding the sword and balance and St Augustine is represented with the child who appeared to him on the seashore admonishing him. Many representations from the Middle Ages show Pope St Gregory the Great (of a noble family and pontiff from 590 to 604) with the Dove of the Holy Spirit perched on his shoulder. St John the Evangelist is represented here according to the golden legend of Jacopo da Varazze, with a snake and a chalice.

Comprising a slender cutting edge and a long tang. 123 grams, 29.3 cm



Acquired 1960s-1990s. Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.

Comprising a single cutting edge, scale tang and bifacial pommel with incised motifs. 49 grams, 20.2 cm



Acquired 1960s-1990s. Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.

In the medieval knives, the tang could be attached to the tang in two ways depending on the the form of the tang. Whittle-tang knives have a tapered tang which is inserted into or through the handle. Scale-tang knives have wider and flatter tangs onto which the plates comprising the handle are attached with metal rivets.