Western Asiatic Style Gemstone Group

Two rectangular carved panels, the larger with an arcade of lancet arches beneath a two leaf-shaped voids and four similar features radiating from a cinquefoil centre; the smaller with four lancet arches below a tracery; each with lips and raised panel to the reverse. 1.6 kg total, 38-43.2 cm



Acquired from various UK auction houses. Property of a Kent collector.

Comprising three large barrel-shaped beads, asymmetrical and likely reworked. 87 grams total, 42-56 mm



UK gallery, early 2000s.

Leaf from a vellum manuscript with hand-coloured image: Mary, right, nimbate in red floor-length robe and blue mantle holding aloft a soul in yellow kilt, its neck seized by two crouching winged dark-skinned demons; a third demon, left, with protruding tongue seizing the upper body of another soul; foreground: two male figures seated on low stools, each with vellum page in one hand and quill in the other; panels of red Coptic text above the scribes, beside their souls; the right edge damaged, left edge folded and pierced for binding. 40 grams, 29.5 x 26 cm



Collection of David Buxton (1913-2003), author of 'Travels in Ethiopia', 1949.

The image is related to the tale of Virgin Mary and the two brothers who were scribes. In this tale, Mary rescues the souls of the scribes who had committed sins whilst they were engaged in writing a copy of the Book of the Miracles of the Virgin Mary.