Post Medieval Reclining Female Statue

A carved marble portrait of a Renaissance man in profile left, depicted with stylised facial features and foliate detailing to his garments; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 12.7 kg total, 36.5 cm high including stand



English private collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11681-199819

A carved marble figural panel depicting a religious scene, probably St. Francis of Assisi receiving the Holy Stigmata; a kneeling figure in loose-fitting cowl and habit with knotted cord to the waist, arms spread and head raised towards a chiaroscuro sunburst with a figure at the centre, wearing a loincloth and affixed to a plain cross, borne up by three pairs of wings attached to the shoulders and thighs; below, a second, smaller figure holding a book; all in a landscape with a tree at right behind the larger figure; mounted on a custom-made stand. 75 cm high including stand



English private collection.

The scene probably represents the events just prior to the end of the life of St. Francis of Assisi: while he was praying on a mountain with his companion, Brother Leo, he is said to have had a vision of a seraph (a six-winged angel on a cross) which gave him the gift of the stigmata, the five wounds of Christ. The apparition caused a deterioration in Francis's health and no cure could be found, so the saint spent the remaining days of his life dictating his spiritual message to Leo, who preserved the record of these events.

A mixed group of mainly stone beads and a seal, including lapis lazuli zoomorphic beads; a stamp seal with couchant lion carved in the round and incuse animal design to base in ancient style; a banded agate bead; biconical bead and others. 43.4 grams total, 5-34 mm



Essex gallery, early 2000s.