Watercolour Painting, Attributed to Sonia Delaunay (1885-1979)

In late 15th century style, Mary ascending to Heaven in the foreground with her arms crossed, dressed in a white and blue garment, wrapped in a red cloak; surrounded by four angels in white embroidered robes, covered by red, green and gold mantles; on the background the grave of Mary surrounded by vegetal ornaments; inscription at the bottom in medieval Flemish ‘DE HEMELVAART VAN MARIA’ (the Assumption of Mary) in uncial letters; some restoration. 4.5 kg, 65 x 53.5 cm

Some restoration.

From a war-damaged church in Belgium. Ex property of a late Northumberland collector. From a private collection, Derbyshire, UK. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

The Assumption of Mary into Heaven is a dogma of faith of the Roman Catholic Church, according to which Mary at the end of her earthly life went to Heaven in body and soul. According to the Eastern Orthodox tradition, the Assumption of Mary was preceded by a deep sleep (Dormitio Virginis): but the Dormition of Mary is not the object of dogma, while her glorification in body and soul is an integral part of the faith of the Catholic Church.

Comprising a painted board with mounting panel and slots to the reverse, gessoed surface with painting of St John the Baptist standing nimbate with wings spread behind him, left hand supporting a bowl containing his severed head and holding an unfurled scroll with Cyrillic text 'Repent ye, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand,' (Matthew 3:2); right hand raised in blessing; landscape with sand-dunes and trees; gilded title above; the upper border with gilt Slavonic inscription reading 'Holy John the Forerunner'; from the Palekh Icon School, probably made in Mstera circa 1890. 1.02 kg, 31 cm high

Fine condition.

Ex property of a London lady, part of her family's collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate no.11546-196366. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

The Palekh icon school emerged in the 17th century, inspired by the Moscow and Suzdal traditions of icon painting. Although preserving many features of traditional Russian iconography, the school created its own style that remained active into the 18th century. The hallmarks of the school include the frequent use of gold on the clothes of the saints and a rich palette. Bodies are shown as tall and slender and abrupt transitions between light and shadow are distinctive features of Palekh icons. The wings of Saint John derive from the double meaning of the Greek word used to describe him in Mark 1:2 - Angelos, meaning both messenger and angel. John is often called a 'Heavenly Man' and 'Earthly Angel' in Orthodoxy. At his feet is shown a small tree with an axe cutting into it, illustrating Luke 3:9, 'And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the tree...'

Tubular in form with flared base, rolled rim. 4.1 kg, 25 cm



From a West London, UK, collection. Property of a North London, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.