Sassanian Style Silver Bowl

Large rectangle with linear upper border and three pendant medallions: St. Peter with book and key, angels supporting the communion cup, St. Paul with sword and book; flanking blocks of dense flowers, leaves and tendrils above incipit 'IN XPI NOMINE AMEN' (in the name of Christ let it be so); similar lateral floral ornament flanking the central block of text in a fine italic hand with red-inked titles and name of the issuing authority (PAVLVS); folded lower edge with cord for attachment of an authenticating seal (absent); witnessed at bottom left corner by Franciscus Caesariensis Ep[iscopu]s (Bishop Francis of Caesaria) and credited at bottom right 'gratis in omnibus amore dei / Marius Cappocinus secretarius' (with thanks to the love of God in all things, Marius the Capuchin, Secretary); some usage wear, faded Italian-language notation to reverse. 137 grams, 74 x 62 cm



Collection of Victor Spark, UK, 2007. Ex central London gallery.

Pope Paul III was the commissioner of the painting of the Last Judgement on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, Vatican City.

Painted on a wooden board with mounting slots and panels to the reverse, gessoed surface with painting of the Virgin of Kazan, head of Mary with gilded nimbus and russet-coloured veil, standing infant Jesus similarly nimbate with right hand raised in the pax gesture; gilt monograms to the upper corners and title to the lower left corner. 968 grams, 31 cm high

Fine condition.

Ex property of a London lady, part of her family's collection.

The original icon, also known as the Theotokos of Kazan, is thought to have originated in Constantinople in the 13th century before it was taken to Russia. When the Turks took over Kazan in 1438, the icon was most probably hidden to keep it safe. Ivan the Terrible liberated Kazan in 1552, and the town was destroyed by fire in 1579, after which the icon was found and brought to the Church of Saint Nicholas. It was subsequently stolen in 1904 and never found again, though there are many copies in existence.

Irregular panels of painted glass mounted in lead cames; one depicting Gothic architectural features including a conical turret roof with a gilt crown above, quatrefoil panel in a window spandrel, curled and scrolled embellishments; the other, a group of winged angels in flight, descending with sky in the background. 5.2 kg total, 46-52 cm



Acquired from Hight Road Auctions, Chiswick, UK, in 2013. Property of a Kent collector.