Tudor Period Bronze Signet Ring with Flower

The gilt polychrome carving showing Saint Simeon holding the infant Christ in his arms before his circumcision, Saint Simeon wearing a priestly mitre, holding the infant above an altar covered by an embroidered brocade; Virgin Mary to his left gazing at the infant tenderly, veiled and wearing a long robe with gilt decoration; to her left Saint Joseph dressed in a long robe and gilt cloak, holding a carpenter's axe in his left hand; praying Saint Anna to the right of Saint Simeon, wearing a simple dress and veil; to her right Saint Joachim, wearing a yellow cap and gilt cloak; the columns of the Temple of Jerusalem on the background; on a wooden stand. 10.15 kg, 86.5 cm wide



Crait and Muller, 8 June 2021, no.2. Ex central London gallery. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12181-221704.

The relief shows the parents and relatives of infant Jesus following the Jewish tradition of circumcising young boys eight days after their birth. This iconography is symbolic as, according to the tradition, Saint Anna and Saint Joachim, parents of Mary, died before the birth of Christ. This panel originally would have adorned the interior panels of a large altarpiece, showing the cycle of life of Christ.

With two lines of a poem, permitting a view into a grand architectural setting, populated by falconers, musicians, attendants and others entertaining a prince seated beneath a pagoda, hilly landscape beyond the walls, broad stylised floral border to three sides, Indian workmanship; mounted in a reveal and a glazed wooden frame. 782 grams, 38.6 x 25.5 cm

Very fine condition.

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

Including a demon gripping his phallus and other types. 4.3 kg total, 21-31 cm



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.