Post Medieval Georgian Pillar Capital Pair

A small icon from a Deesis, tempera on wood, depicting Mary on a gilt background inclining her head to the right, wearing a maphorion embroidered with gold stars, blue veil and a chiton of same colour; the reverse with a painted red cross with Greek lettering 'IC XI N K' for 'Jesus Christ is winner'. 554 grams, 20.2 x 16.5 cm

Gilding minimally worn, the border minimally restored; very fine condition.

Property of a London lady, part of her family's collection. 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 searcher certificate no.11571-198600.

This splendid specimen comes most probably from a large icon, where it was part of a Deesis. The image implies that the original icon represented Christ flanked by the Mother of God and John the Baptist, all three usually represented as a full figure. 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.

A large rectangular ceramic tile displaying a scene with the Virgin and Child flanked by musicians over a winged putti head, winged putti flanking a wreath containing an armorial shield below; egg-and-dart border. 14.9 kg, 66 cm high



English private collection.

A bifacial bronze Yämäṩor Mäsqäl processional cross finial with later replaced socket, flanking bird motifs and dense block of tendrils and wheels with seven cross-shaped finials, central panel with Virgin Mary, Holy Child and angels to the front, saints and Evangelists to the back. 55 grams, 26 cm (37.5 cm including stand)



Acquired on the London art market, 2006. UK private collection.

In contrast with the hand cross that is fitted with a grip, the processional cross has a hollow shaft into which the pole supporting the cross is inserted, although the use of both is interconnected in the liturgy and ceremonial aspects of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. In Amharic it received the name of yämäṩor mäsqäl or "cross to [carry] on a pole", the term mäṩor also meaning a wooden handle. Processional crosses are used on "every qaddase day" occasions - an expression meaning whenever the liturgy is performed. This includes displaying the cross during the reading of the Gospels and other sacred texts, as well as holding it up to be viewed at the end of the service for the final blessing.