Post Medieval Agate Cameo with Profile Portrait of the Madonna

D-section hoop with scroll design, large bezel with tendril decoration underneath, set with a lapis lazuli intaglio with a fantastical beast motif. 8.80 grams, 30.14 mm overall, 18.20 x 17.69 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P, USA 7 1/2, Europe 16.23, Japan 15)



London, UK, collection, 1980s-1990s.

Depicting the Deesis divided in three panels, with Jesus Christ at the centre, Saint Mary on the left panel and Saint John the Baptist on the right; God holding the Gospel in his left hand and raising his right hand in blessing; Mary with veiled head and mantle, wearing a maphorion mantle over an embroidered robe and holding a scroll; Saint John, portrayed as an elderly man, wearing a camel-skin robe, winged and holding a bowl containing an infant with flexed legs and raised right hand, the saint’s right hand pointing toward the infant Jesus, his left hand holding a scroll with the prophecy of Isaiah, while the right hand is raised in blessing gesture; Old Slavic inscription around the figures: 'ΙC ΧΡ' (Jesus Christ); 'ΜΡ ϴΥ'(Mother of God), ‘Saint John the Precursor’ (Иоа́нн Предте́ча); the images framed by a pseudo-vegetal and abstract decorations; the instruments of the Passion and the city of Jerusalem on the cover. 553 grams, 10 cm



Ex David Miller, Hemel Hempstead, London, UK. From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s.

The Deisis or Deesis (Деисус, Gk. for “supplication”) was the depiction of the Virgin, John the Baptist and possibly many more saints interceding with Christ on behalf of mankind.

Comprising: buff paper page from Meisner's 'Thesaurus Philo-Politicus' (1625-1630) with engraved image of a city and cockerel in foreground, title 'Prospice Domui E100' and 'Beaumont', Latin and German rhymed couplets below; buff paper page with engraved image of a walled fortress and lion in foreground with Cupid, title 'Omnia Domat Amor G41' and 'Carlemont', Latin and German rhymed couplets below; two examples of buff paper page with engraved image of a city and river with fishermen holding a net in foreground, title 'Fraus et Ubique Dolus' and 'Rüssel', Latin and German rhymed couplets below, one numbered 'Ez' and the other '35'; portrait in three-quarter view of Oliver Cromwell with signature (Walker?) below, and legend above 'London, published 25 July 1881 by P.& D.Colnaghi & Co. 13 & 14 Pall Mall East'; print in card reveal with five busts of rulers, each with an axe and stepped headress, with legend 'Manco-Capac 1st Emperor of Peru', 'Sinchi-Roca. II Emp.', 'Loque-Yupanqui, III Emp.', Mayta-Capac, IV Emp.', 'Capac-Yupanqui. V Emp.', printed titled 'Gent.Mag. Nov.1751'. 114 grams total, 18 x 14 - 29.1 x 22 cm



Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a Harwich, UK, collector.