Western Asiatic Style Silver Inlaid Bronze Bifacial Calligraphic Pendant

In late 15th century style, showing Christ on the foreground rising to heaven, surrounded by Mary and the eleven apostles, Jesus dressed in a white tunica talaris and a red cloak; natural background, medieval Flemish inscription at the bottom ‘DE HEMELVAART VAN CHRISTUS’ (the Ascension of Christ) 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 scene represents the Ascension of Christ, described in Luke 24,1 and Acts 1,1-9. The Ascension is the last episode of Jesus' earthly presence according to the two narratives. It describes his definitive ascension to heaven, from which he will return only at the end of time (Parousia).

Painted onto a pair of gessoed wooden doors for the iconostasis, pentagonal in form with applied beading to the edges; Left: gilt field with advancing winged figure in ankle-length robes holding a slender wand and with thick curly hair, legend 'Ο ΑΡΧΗ' and 'ΓΑΒΡΗΛ'; Right: similar with Mary in floor-length blue robe and crimson mantle, holding a drop-spindle and winder, with legend 'Ω/MP'; representing the Annunciation of the Virgin by the Archangel Gabriel; mounted on a velvet-covered wooden frame. 9.15 kg total, 93.5 x 68.5 cm including frame



Acquired on the UK 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 a search certificate number no.12552-231939. 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. 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.

Bearing the bust of a bearded man dressed in elaborate Tudor clothing and wearing a wide-brimmed hat, Tudor rose on the breast band. 13.3 grams, 37 mm



Found New Sheriff Hutton Industrial Estate, Yorkshire, UK, in July 2006. From the private collection of Robin Sykes, Yorkshire, UK, formed since the late 1990s. Accompanied by an illustrated record card by Jim Halliday. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

This type of badge would have been attached to the lid of a purse; other examples were worn as brooches and pierced for attachment when the pin had broken off.