Roman Style Oil Lamp with Face

Vellum leaf with pricked guidelines for placement of two columns of red-ink and black-ink text in Ge'ez script with red detailing; recto with two columns of text above a polychrome painted miniature showing a nimbate Mary beside a recumbent bearded figure among buildings with a winged angel above; verso with twenty-two lines of text in two columns. 89 grams, 35.5 x 30 cm



Previously in the David Buxton collection (1910-2003), until the late 1990s.

The scene should represent the miracle of the Virgin Mary to Damianus the scribe: Damianus wrote the name of the Virgin Mary with gold and silver instead of with common black ink. The Virgin Mary appeared to Damianus on his death bed and promises to write his name upon a pillar of gold in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Showing figures in an architectural setting, water and landscape beyond; possibly two female attendants, one holding a torch, the other keeping guard, assisting their mistress who has ventured out at dusk to meet her lover; set in a reveal within a glazed wooden frame. 528 grams, 32.5 x 23.5 cm

Very fine condition.

Acquired on the UK art market, 1980s-1990s. The Woodbridge collection of Indo-Persian art.

Various types in 1st millennium B.C. style. 41 grams total, 26-45 mm



Collected from 1969-1999. From the collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK.