Stuart Period Bronze Four-Way Seal Matrix

With D-section tapering hoop, black enamel finish with reserved rosettes and tendrils, the bezel an ornate heater shield with reserved text 'In memory OE' and copperplate engraving to the inner face '1852 / obt.63', 'Mrs.Sarah Hems, obt.26 May' and stamped assay marks: crown, '18', leopard's head, gothic 'k' in octagonal panel (dated to 1845). 4.14 grams, 22.74 mm overall, 17.43 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O, USA 7, Europe 14.98, Japan 14)



Acquired on the UK art market. Property of an East Sussex collector.

Painted on a wooden board and covered with a brass riza, with mounting panel to the reverse, depicting the entrance of Christ in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday riding a donkey; crowd within the city wall; followers of Christ in the gateway; Christ with golden nimbus and letters 'ω', 'C' reversed and 'Н'; Greek script title above reciting: 'Η ΒΑΙΦΟΡΟC (Βαϊοφόρος)' (the one who is riding the mule); the background with rocks, tree and the walls of Jerusalem; arabesque decoration to the borders and corners; accompanied by a wooden stand. 762 grams total including stand, Icon: 30.5 x 22.5 cm



Ex David Miller, Hemel Hempstead, London, UK. From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s.

The scene represents a well-known part of the Gospels that describe the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. He makes a grand entrance into the city on a donkey to fulfil the prophecy of Zechariah, “Tell the city of Zion, look, your king is coming to you! He is humble and rides on a donkey and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” The scene is synthetized in the Greek expression ‘Βαϊοφόρος'.

Hollow-formed sheet-metal bird with detailed plumage. 12.6 grams, 48.5 mm



From the collection of a Buckinghamshire, UK, collector established from the earlier 1960s.