Post Medieval Bronze Crotal Bell Collection

Illustrating scenes from the Gospel of Luke and representing the nativity of Christ; the centre shows Virgin Mary sitting on a throne, portrayed as a young girl with her head covered by a typical female cap, dressed in a long red vestis talaris, and her body wrapped in a blue cloak and baby Jesus standing on her lap, archangels Michael and Gabriel standing on each sides, armed with swords and dressed in contrasting robes, Saint Gabriel holding a bouquet of roses, another bouquet below the Virgin and a male supplicant next to her, possibly the donor of the icon, holding a red flag surmounted by a cross; the left side panel with the Annunciation to the top and the lower part depicting an angel assisting St Luke with drafting his Gospel; the right hand panel with a Nativity scene to the top and the lower part depicting the visit of Saint Mary to Saint Elizabeth; inscriptions in Ge'ez to both side panels. 4.3 kg, 59.5 x 44 cm



Acquired from Milos Simonovic, New York, USA, December 2009. Property of an important West London collector, inventory no.1168. 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 a search certificate number no.12037-216186.

The icon, contemporary to the Second Style of Gondar, served as model for two icons in the Institute of Ethiopian Studies in Addis Ababa.

Comprising: one with teardrop bezel, glass inserts; one with lapis lazuli disc insert; one with openwork shoulders, cabochon to the bezel. 20.41 grams total, 23-30 mm



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

A zebu with hump to the shoulders, gusseted neck, painted detailing. 281 grams, 13 cm wide



Acquired on the London art market in the 1990s.