Post Medieval Gold Memento Mori Ring with Skull

Divided into two separate scenes: in a small panel on the right side, the Annunciation with the archangel Gabriel standing with the messenger's staff in his left hand, his right hand extending towards the Virgin in a sign of greeting and homage; the archangel dressed in a blue ankle-length garment (sticharion) with a red mantle (himation); Mary in a floor-length blue robe and crimson mantle, holding a scroll; above the two figures inscriptions in Greek letters, 'Γ (Γαβριήλ)' over the Archangel and ‘ΜΡ ϴΥ'(Mother of God) over the Virgin Mary; on the main field a representation of the Nativity, according the typical Byzantine iconography: standing Mary beneath a rocky landscape above a cave, wearing a red maphorion mantle over a dark blue robe, with elaborate golden threads of fine gold brocade at the hem, showing baby Jesus to the three wise men, dressed as kings and bearing gifts of gold, incense and myrrh; a shepherd wearing a long, shaggy cloak, leaning on his staff, converses amicably with thoughtful Saint Joseph, seated on rocks; an ox and a donkey beneath the cradle; in the upper part, two ranks of singing angels, dressed in gold, blue, and red robes, while among the ranks of angels on the right, one of the celestial creatures announces the good news to the shepherds, inviting them to worship the heavenly child; Greek inscription from the Creed in red within the angels: 'τὸν δι' ἡμᾶς τοὺς ἀνθρώπους καὶ διὰ τὴν ἡμετέραν σωτηρίαν κατελθόντα ἐκ τῶν οὐρανῶν, καὶ σαρκωθέντα ἐκ Πνεύματος Ἁγίου καὶ Μαρίας τῆς παρθένου, καὶ ἐνανθρωπήσαντα' (Who because of us men and because of our salvation came down from the heavens, and was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man), another above the Virgin Mary: 'ἡ κατἀ σαρκα γένεσις τοῦ κὒ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ' (The Birth in flesh of our Lord Jesus Christ), also the letters ‘ΜΡ ϴΥ'(Mother of God), over the head of Jesus, 'ΙC ΧΡ' (Jesus Christ); tempera on wood panel, on the reverse old label 'Kunstausstellung Kühl'. 1.59 kg, 42.2 x 34.2 cm



Acquired on the European art market. Private collection, London, UK. 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 search certificate number no.13062-249293.

Theodoros Poulakis (1622-1692) was a key figure of the Cretan School, known for his religious icon paintings. He blended Byzantine and Venetian styles, especially after moving to Venice following the Ottoman conquest of Crete. His vivid, detailed icons are highly regarded in both religious and artistic circles. Here, the artist combines narrations of the birth of Jesus Christ in Matthew 1:18-2:12 and Luke 2:1-2:20.

Discoid in plan with pierced flange handle to reverse; incuse image of a facing enthroned monarch with orb and sceptre in his hands, crown topped by a cross, two heater shields to the sides, on with a lion rampant and the other with a spread eagle; legend 'MIE.REZ', 'ET. BOE'; outer band with Lombardic legend 'AVGVSTVS. KAROLVS . QVARTVS . DIVINAE.FAVENTE . MEME[...]' referring to Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV. 143 grams, 62 mm



Private collection, UK.

The sprung nip on a tall stem wrought with three S-scrolls for holding spare splints, on a tripod base. 1.7 kg, 68.7 cm



Ex Nic McElhatton, former chairman of Christie's South Kensington. Property of a Berkshire, UK, collector. Accompanied by a copy of McElhatton's cataloguing page. Accompanied by copies of the relevant book pages where published.