Post Medieval Iron Door Key Collection

Base metal ladle with deep bowl, thick neck and spatulate finial, slightly curved in profile; indistinct punched pellet marks to reverse of handle. 407 grams, 37.7 cm



By repute from Highclere Castle from the 1950s onwards. Acquired from Newbury Antique Emporium. Property of a Berkshire, UK, gentleman collector. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Property of George Edward Stanhope Molyneux Herbert, 5th Earl of Carnarvon (1866 -1923), who financed the exploratory excavations of Howard Carter which resulted in the discovery and publication of the tomb of the pharaoh Tutankhamen in the 1920s. On 19 March 1923 Carnarvon contracted blood poisoning after accidentally shaving a mosquito bite infected with erysipelas. He died a few days later on 5 April, in the Continental-Savoy Hotel in Cairo. This unexpected and untimely death gave rise to the story of the 'Curse of the Mummy'. He is buried in a tomb at Beacon Hill, Hampshire and the family lives in Highclere Castle nearby. Highclere is the location chosen for the filming of the BBC drama series 'Downton Abbey'.

Featuring a slender hoop, raised trio of ring-and-dot motifs to each shoulder, round bezel set with glass cabochon. 1.18 grams, 21.07 mm overall, 16.92 mm internal diameter (approximate size British M, USA 6, Europe 12.46, Japan 12)



From an English collection formed before 2000. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

In oil and tempera on a slightly curved wooden panel, depicting the Theotokos (Mother of God) and the infant Jesus on a plain green field; Mary wearing a red maphorion mantle over a dark blue robe, with elaborate golden brocade to the hem, floral ornaments to the upper part of the garment; the infant facing to left, resting on Mary's left arm, dressed in white tunic, wrapped in a red shawl, right hand making the pax gesture, left hand extended holding a scroll; Greek inscription in red lettering 'ΜΡ ΘΥ (Μήτηρ (τοῦ) Θεοῦ = Mother of God)' flanking Mary's head; inscription in Greek 'ΙϹ ΧϹ (ΙΗϹΟΥϹ ΧΡΙϹΤΟϹ = Jesus Christ)' above the infant; silver-gilt repoussé cover with inscription. 574 grams, 22 x 15 cm



Property of a London, UK, gentleman collector. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

The icon shows the Virgin in the attitude of Hodegetria. This is the iconographical type of Virgin Mary one encounters most frequently in an Eastern Orthodox church or home, Hodegetria meaning 'Mother of God Pointing the Way'. The Virgin Mary is shown with the Christ on her lap, looking at the viewer and her right hand indicating Christ, seeming to say 'Follow Him'.