Western Asiatic Lined Calligraphic Table Cloth

Executed in oil and tempera on a slightly curved wooden panel base depicting the Theotokos (Mother of God), the infant Jesus and Saint Rock on a natural background; Mary with head bowed left wearing a red maphorion mantle over a dark blue robe, with elaborate golden saltires on the shoulders and head of the mantle, fine gold brocade to the hem of the blue robe, nursing the child; the infant Jesus facing away to left, supported on Mary's right arm and dressed in gold tunic, wrapped in a red shawl with gold highlights to folds, both hands holding the mother’s breast; the long-haired Saint Rock covered in a black tabarrino marked with his attributes, the red cross, the pilgrim's staff, the scallop shell and the keys, holds his walking stick in his hand; trees and mountain profiles in the background; gilded wooden frame surrounded by a blue indigo border with gold arabesques; from the Veneto-Cretan guild. 857 grams, 32.5 x 27.5 cm



Acquired on the European art market. Private collection, London, UK. 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. 13065-249292.

The icon presents the type known in Greek as the Galaktotrophousa and in Russia as Mlekopitatelnitsa. Originating from the pagan iconography of Isis nursing Horus, the icon presents the Mother of God nursing the child. As is typical in traditional Orthodox iconography, conscious effort is made to remove the image from reality. That is why Mary’s breast is so oddly depicted and placed near her shoulder — an attempt to avoid any trace of sensuality.

Copy of a Greek sculpture (now lost) from the Hellenistic period (323-31 BC) thought to have been made in bronze; a young Galatian warrior, wounded in the chest by a sword blow and dying, half-lying with his face turned downwards; with typical features of the idealised Celtic warrior: the high cheekbones, the hairstyle with thick and long locks, and the moustache (mytax); resting on a discarded shield with short sword under his right hand, straps and two tubular war-horns. 4 kg, 32 cm



From the private collection of a S.W. London gentleman, acquired in the 1970s.

The Dying Gaul statue was rediscovered in Rome in the early 17th century, specifically in the 1620s, during excavations for the Villa Ludovisi. It was initially part of the Ludovisi collection and later acquired by Pope Clement XII for the Capitoline Museums. Except for a torque around the neck (a metal necklace typical of Celtic warriors), the figure is completely naked. It is possible to identify the figure tentatively as the ‘Trumpeter of Epigonos’ mentioned by Pliny (Natural History 34.88).

Comprising a human skull and crossed long bones; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 161 grams total, 66 mm high including stand



Private collection, Europe. Acquired on the English art market.