Renaissance Wooden Panel with Horse and Figures

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 bifacial anthropomorphic copper-alloy chafing dish mount, comprising a flat plate in the shape of a man's head and torso in profile, incised on both sides outlining stylised facial features and a hood or cap. 11.1 grams, 33 mm



Found near Brenzett, Kent, UK. Property of a Kent gentleman. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no. KENT-561C41.

The PAS report dates this item to 1575-1650. Such supports were used in sets of three on chafing dishes. Scholars believe they were produced in Germany, Denmark and the Low Countries from 1575 onwards, remaining in use in poorer households until the middle of the 18th century A.D. Such a find is rare in England.

A gold ring composed of a slender hoop embellished with tapering, white enamelled shoulders with black enamelled flourishes, fluted box collet setting, set with a pink foil back and table-cut rock crystal; accompanied by a vintage ring box. 1.89 grams, 21.50 mm overall, 16.63 mm internal diameter (approximate size British L 1/2, USA 6, Europe 11.87, Japan 11)



Valued by Bentley & Skinner, Piccadilly, London W1, 2016. Property of an East Sussex collector. Accompanied by a copy of the Bentley & Skinner insurance valuation. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11669-197584.

The V & A Museum explains that during the '...Renaissance, the ring developed from the simple forms of the medieval period into a miniature work of art, combining the skills of the chaser, engraver and enameller as well as the stone cutter.