Post Medieval Bronze Eagle Finial

With repeating script and geometric bands to the body. 1.67 kg, 33 cm wide

Fine condition.

Acquired on the UK art market, 2000s. Property of a Suffolk gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Two leaves from a vellum manuscript, each with a hand-coloured image of a male figure (Evangelists) seated on low stools, covered with embroidered cloths, holding a vellum page in one hand and quill in the other, nimbus around their head; dressed in blue, red and green garments, in front of them two cups in brown and white colour. 19 grams total, 22.5 x 19.8 cm each



Ex central London gallery. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

During the Aksumite period, the Greek text of the Gospels was brought to Ethiopia and translated into Geez. Along with the Greek text came a standard method of Gospel manuscript production, as well as the Eusebian canon tables with their characteristic decoration and tholos miniature, and portraits of the evangelists. In the Gondar period, the tradition continued: usually the four Evangelists were portrayed as a series. Evangelist portraits serve as an introduction, and narrative illustrations were placed within the Gospel texts.

A substantial oblate bead with dragged trails to the surface. 1.24 kg, 10.6 cm



Acquired 1970-1999. London collection of the late Mr S.M., thence by descent. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.