Post Medieval Romanian Ex-Voto Icon Dedicated to Kostas Soatana and Nikouli

A reproduction of a Medieval seal discoid in plan with flange handle to reverse; central incuse design of facing Christ in loincloth, nimbate and holding a processional cross with legend 'MARIA', beside a tree with kneeling nimbate Mary, her hands extended and legend 'RABONI' above; scallop motifs in the field, outer band of egg-and-dart moulding; legend to inner band ' ·:· SIGILLVM ·:· CAPPITULI ·:· VEZELIASSENSIS' (chief seal of Vézelay [in Burgundy, France]). 54.2 grams, 61 mm



Private collection, UK.

The reference is to the incident in John v.20 where Jesus said to his mother, “Mary” and she turned toward him and cried out “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).

Iron flat-section shaft with three tiered cross-bars, the two lowest each with five iron lamp-bowls to the forward face; above, a U-shaped bar with a lamp bowl at each upper end; top of the shaft developing to an anthropomorphic torso with ellipsoid head and two narrow arms raised vertically; chain around the neck with hand-forged extinguishing spoon; mounted on a square base; Dogon, Mali, workmanship. 6.25 kg total, 132 cm including stand



From the private collection of Dr Hans-Joachim Koloss, Berlin, Germany, 1975-2002. Gorny & Mosch, Munich, Germany, auction 279, no.410. Accompanied by a copy of the Gorny & Mosch invoice and illustrated catalogue listing. Accompanied by a copy of the German cultural export licence.

The figure is probably a Nommo, a primordial ancestral spirit in Dogon cosmogony. A Nommo is usually considered to be amphibious, hermaphroditic and fish-like. They are typically depicted in Dogon art with a humanoid upper torso, and a fish-like lower torso and tail.

Restrung group of tabular, oblate and other types. 41 grams, 37 cm



London, UK, collection, 2000s.