Post Medieval Delft Tin-Glazed Ceramic Plate

Depicted crowned and nimbate in a central panel, the bust of the Virgin encased in a medallion with a cross pendant, with inside the Holy Spirit under shape of dove and with nimbus, four nimbate figures of Saint Anna, Saint Basil the Great, Saint Simeon and another Saint below; text in the fields. 796 grams, 28 cm

The timber shows some old insect flight holes and we are advised that this piece has been recently treated with Permthrin, as a precaution.

Ex French gallery, Paris.

The rare Marian iconographic typology is called ''Mother of God who softens sick hearts', where she carries the Holy Spirit on her breast, represented by a dove emitting rays of light. In particular, it is a variant of the Madonna Odighitria. Both the mother and the child are depicted as the queen and king of the universe: the Virgin wears a crown on her head and holds the Child, who is also blessing with the right hand.

Of octagonal form, basket of flowers at centre with linear and foliate borders; repaired. 283 grams, 19 cm wide



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

Preserved as the binding for a 'book of common prayers, and administration of the sacraments', in an embroidered stumpwork binding, the front cover showing Saint Anne, Mary and the Child, the back cover with a large floral design; the folio text with some handwritten amendations, title page printed in red and black. 2.75 kg, 38.7 cm



Emil Offenbacher and Cornelius J. Hauck, with his ex libris beneath an elaborate hand-coloured early armorial bookplate. Ex Cultured Oyster Books, 2007. Ex central London gallery. Accompanied by a previous catalogue page, listed as no.10.

Stumpwork is sometimes called 'raised work' and is an embroidery style in which the stitched figures are raised from the surface creating a three-dimensional effect. Historically, this type of embroidery, here probably made for an ecclesiastical vestment, was employed to decorated a variety of secular household artefacts and reached its greatest popularity by the second half of the 17th century A.D. Embroidered folio bindings are fairly uncommon.