Post Medieval Large Tile with Virgin and Child Scene

A bronze study of a reclining nymph on a draped chaise longue, nude with head tilted back and lips sensuously parted, left hand stroking her luxuriant hair, right hand lifting a fold of the cloth cover, left leg bent and held beneath the right leg, cushioned headrest with tassel; hollow to the underside; unsigned. 5.4 kg, 34 cm long



English private collection.

A wooden triptych with recessed central panel and two folding doors; the central panel with crucifixion scene with robed Mary and John the Evangelist, another apostle and Mary Magdalen, two crucified thieves to the rear and the angels depicted collecting the blood of God in cups; underneath the Crucifixion scene Virgin Mary and the Child escorted by armed Saint Gabriel and Saint Michael, prophets to the sides; the left door with nude Adam and Eve reaching up to the Resurrection of Christ, beneath them three prophets; the right door with two saints (upper panel) and three prophets; left and right bottom panels with Saint George (Bet Giorgis) and military Saint Victor on horseback; Ethiopian Ge'ez script legends. 760 grams, 35.5 x 21.5 cm



Acquired on the London art market, 2003. UK private collection.

The icon shows the Western influence on Ethiopian art. The first element is the orb which the Child holds in his left hand and the second element is the pose of his right hand. The orb appeared in Ethiopian paintings around 1500 A.D. Moreover, his hand shows two fingers outstretched, the index and middle finger, and the two last fingers folded.

A copper-alloy armorial ring composed of a convex hoop expanding at the shoulders to a shield-shaped plaque engraved with a crown surmounted by a cross, the shoulders embellished with swirling motifs. 10.41 grams, 27.23 mm overall, 21.02 mm internal diameter (approximate size British U, USA 10, Europe 22.33, Japan 21)



Acquired in the late 1990s-2000. Property of an East London gentleman.