Mixed Pendant Group

Vellum leaf with pricked guidelines for placement of two columns of red-ink and black-ink text in Ge'ez script with red detailing; recto with two columns of text above a polychrome painted miniature showing a nimbate Mary beside a recumbent bearded figure among buildings with a winged angel above; verso with twenty-two lines of text in two columns. 89 grams, 35.5 x 30 cm



Previously in the David Buxton collection (1910-2003), until the late 1990s.

The scene should represent the miracle of the Virgin Mary to Damianus the scribe: Damianus wrote the name of the Virgin Mary with gold and silver instead of with common black ink. The Virgin Mary appeared to Damianus on his death bed and promises to write his name upon a pillar of gold in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Bell-shaped in profile with broad foot and carinated rim; at the neck an applied gold-coloured inlaid band of undulating tendrils, with alternating inset ruby petals; at the shoulder, four small applied plants with green lozengiform flowers; at the waist four large plants with laterally-extended shoots, petals with inset rubies and green inlays; below the waist, a similar band of flowers to that at the shoulder; some wire lose or absent. 468 grams, 12.8 cm high



Property of a South West London gentleman.

Broad bowl with basal ring, rounded rim with inlaid wire band below, floral motifs in inlaid wire with ruby and other inlaid petals. 1.1 kg, 20.4 cm wide



Property of a South West London gentleman.