Renaissance Silver Mirror with Mythological Scene

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.

Slightly dished face with hatched rim, running vinescroll to border, scallop supporting a low-relief scene with bearded figure holding a spear supported on his throne by two robed females, small hoplite above and long-haired figure with labrys to left; legends in pseudo-archaic Greek script; handle absent, old professional repair to verso. 138 grams, 13.2 cm



From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman.

A small lidded box with brass frame and silk lined cushion, the lid with a painted Eiffel Tower scene. 176 grams, 78 mm



From a private Tyneside collection, formed since the early 2000s.