MEDIEVAL & EARLY CHRISTIAN ART

Treasures Of Early European Art



SCULPTURE ICONS JEWELRY GLASS
VIKING, etc. LAMPS FIGURES SEALS


EARLY CHRISTIAN MEDIEVAL SCULPTURE

ORIGINAL ITALIAN RENAISSANCE SCULPTURE!

13058. PAIR OF ITALIAN RENAISSANCE MARBLE ACOLYTES, Rome or Florence, c. 15th century. Two finely carved white marble acolytes on white marble and walnut base. The acolytes 13 and 11 cm. height, the marble base 15 x 30 cm. The acolytes in typical kneeling position with one hand at side facing outward, the other hand crossed over their breast would have originally framed a carved altarpiece. Figures on stand. Left figure front. Right figure back. Left figure back.

Provenance: The Paul Suttman collection. Acquired by Suttman in the 1960's when he lived in Italy as a fellow of the American Academy of Rome. Three time recipient of the prestigious Prix de Rome Paul Suttman (1933-1993) was an internationally known American sculptor who produced many impressionistic figurative works in bronze. Mr. Suttman's work is represented in the Museum of Modern Art, the Morgan Library, the University of Michigan Museum of Art, and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington. More information on Suttman can be found at NY times obituary. Acquired by the current owner from the Suttman estate in the 1990's.

$3600.



EARLY CHRISTIAN PAINTING & ICONS

THE EYE OF GOD

8860. EXCEPTIONAL RUSSIAN ICON, early 19th century. Hand painted scene depicting the all-seeing eye of God. 10.5" x 12". Tempera and gesso on wood panel with two anti-warp cleats in back. An exceptional example with an unusual mystical subject.

$2750.



8400. BEAUTIFUL MEDIEVAL STYLE ILLUMINATED LEAF, 19th century. Beautifully hand painted work on old vellum, the reverse of the sheepskin with traces of medieval writing visible. The type from a Book of Hours depicting Saint Christopher. 7.5 x 10.5". In professional custom acrylic frame. Enlargement.

$2500.



8401. BEAUTIFUL MEDIEVAL STYLE ILLUMINATED LEAF, 19th century. Beautifully hand painted work on old vellum, the reverse of the sheepskin with traces of medieval writing visible. The type from a Book of Hours depicting a Saint (Saint Patrick?) with a harp having a vision of a flying red dragon over a castle. Professional custom acrylic frame. 5 x 8.5". Enlargement.

$2500.



8402. BEAUTIFUL MEDIEVAL STYLE ILLUMINATED LEAF, 190th century. Beautifully hand painted work on old vellum, the reverse of the sheepskin with traces of medieval writing visible. The type from a Book of Hours depicting the vision of Saint John the Evangelist. Professional custom acrylic frame. 5 x 8.5". Enlargement. Gold leaf inscription.

$2500.



DATED 1898

9994. EARLY PAINTING OF THE VIRGIN AND CHILD ON WOOD. Signed and dated 1898 Martie 6. The painting on wood with the virgin and child flanked by Saints Stefan and Ecaterina, their names beside their figures, twin antiwarp cleats in the back. 15 x 18.25 inches. Beautiful painting and in generally excellent condition.

Provenance: Acquired at Dawson's Auction house, NJ April, 2000.

$2500.



8861. EXCEPTIONAL RUSSIAN ICON, c. 1820. Hand painted scene depicting St. John. 10.5" x 12.5". Tempera and gesso on wood panel with slots for two anti-warp cleats now missing. An especially beautiful rendering and an exceptionally impressive icon.

Provenance: Acquired at Dawson's Auction house, NJ April, 2000 .

$3500.



VIKING & EARLY TRIBAL CULTURES

HEAVY GERMANIC SILVER!

12908. LARGE PAIR OF SILVER ARMBANDS. Central Europe, Germanic, c. mid 1st millennium AD. 4.25 x 4.5 inches. 1 lb 2 oz. (510 g.) A very ornate matching pair in great condition. Glossy black patina with silver showing through on the edges where there is wear, light soil deposits. Worn by a high status chief or warrior. Provenance: The property of a European gentleman. Reverse.

Price on request.



9113. BEAUTIFUL VIKING BRONZE BUCKLE, ca. 6th-10th century AD. The buckle with twin dragon heads above twin birds, an additional head between the two dragons, and another at the bottom. 0.9 x 1.6 inches. Museum quality. One of the finest I've seen. On custom lucite stand.

Price on request.



LARGE VIKING BUCKLE

7565. VIKING KIEVAN RUSS BRONZE BUCKLE, c. 8th-10th century. Large imposing bronze openwork buckle with slot accommodating a leather belt and hole for attaching over a hook on the other end of the belt. 4.5". Elegant design and nice patina. Very rare.

The Kievan Russ were Viking marauders, traders and settlers along the Volga.

$1850.



8325. HUN OR AVAR SCABBARD FITTING, c. 4th-6th century AD. In the form of a feline head. Would have reinforced the lower end of a leather scabbard. 1.8". Rare and nice.

$350.



MEDIEVAL & EARLY CHRISTIAN JEWELRY

9114. CHOICE LATE ROMAN/EARLY MEDIEVAL BUCKLE, ca. 3rd-5th century AD. The bronze buckle plate with molded scene of a warrior pointing his sword at a feline. 1.9 inches. Choice example in excellent condition. On custom lucite stand. Rare.

$650.



8771. A FINE EARLY MEDIEVAL BRONZE BUCKLE, ca. 4th-6th century AD. With an energetic scene of a dog harrasing an animal, probably a goat. 2.4". Intact and very rare with excellent detail and condition.

$850.



8770. A FINE EARLY MEDIEVAL SEAL RING, ca. 4th-6th century. The bronze ring carved with a horse protome back to back with a long-bearded human head. 24mm, 18 mm average internal diameter. Excellent quality and condition and wearable.

$1450.



8751. SUPERB GALLO-ROMAN SILVER AND GOLD FIBULA, ca. 4th-5th century. The large fibula with repouse sheet gold around the body between twin knobs, the large catchplate with finely cut out pattern of whorls, eggs and dots, areas of gilding remaining on the body. 4.2 inches. Museum quality ancient art.

$5500.



8752. SUPERB GALLO-ROMAN SILVER FIBULA, ca. 4th-5th century. The large fibula with double-knobbed retaining loop, the large flat catch plate with a finely cut out pattern of rosettes and teardrops. 4.3 inches. Museum quality ancient art.

$5500.



11668. FINE MEDIEVAL ORNAMENT WITH GILDING AND NIELLO. Hungary, likely Arpad Hazi royal bloodline period, c. 1100-1300 AD, the first Hungarian royal dynasty. The ornament in silver with niello inlay and gilded borders, with four small tenons for attachment on the back. Likely used to ornament some wooden liturgical casket or perhaps the jewelry box of a noble. 14 x 15 mm. A very fine quality and very rare medieval ornament. Back view.

Provenance: From a private Hungarian collection formed in the 1950's. In the US since the 1960's.

$150.



11667. RARE LIMOGES GILDED FITTING WITH THE WINGED OX OF ST. LUKE. Limoges, France, c. 12th century AD. The bronze fitting with holes for attachment to a wooden liturgical casket or perhaps the jewelry box of a noble, or possibly a bookplate. The piece ornamented with a gilded angel or perhaps a winged ox, the medieval symbol of St. Luke, the Evangelist. The winged ox is the symbol of St. Luke the Evangelist, anticipated by Ezekiel. The ox, recognized as the animal of sacrifice, was applied to St. Luke because his Gospel emphasizes the atonement made by Christ's sacrifice of himself on the Cross. 1.25 x 2.5 inches. Similar example found in a dig at Buckfast Abbey, Devon, England.

Provenance: From a private Hungarian collection formed in the 1950's. In the US since the 1960's.

$600.



9766. INLAID ROMANO-BRITISH ENAMELED BROOCH, c. 4th-5th century. Of rhomboidal form with inlays of white, blue and orange enamel remaining. Pin lost. 1.5 inches. Beautiful bright colors!

$250.



8755. FINE ROMANO-BRITISH ENAMELED OPENWORK FIBULA, c. 4th-5th century. The bronze fibula with arched openwork plate with fine incised designs and inlaid with eight enamel triangles (four green remaining), both ends molded into the heads of felines with finely incised details. 2.2". Pin restored. Very rare.

$250.



MEDIEVAL GLASS

9116. CHOICE EARLY DARK AGES GLASS VIAL, ca. 5th-6th century. Of fine deep aqua glass with ribbed body and knobbed neck with rolled and expanded rim. Pontil mark at base, some iridescence on neck. 4.8". Tiny pin hole, otherwise excellent condition & very rare. Small museum number in red ink on shoulder.<

Provenance: From the estate of a prominent Egyptologist active in the early part of the 20th century. Brought to the US with the family in 1954.

$1800.



MEDIEVAL & EARLY CHRISTIAN LAMPS

7343. RARE CRUSADER GLAZED OIL LAMP, c. 12th century AD. Green glazed lamp with characteristic drip catcher body. 3.75 inches. Excellent condition. Rare.

$3500.



7344. RARE CRUSADER GLAZED OIL LAMP, c. 12th century AD. Yellow glazed lamp with characteristic drip catcher body. 3.75 inches. Excellent condition. Rare.

$3500.



10019. MID 18TH CENTURY FLEMISH BRASS LAMP, Europe, Flanders (Belgium), c. 1760. A gorgeous early northern European brass lamp, constructed of three pieces, with a lidded body made to fit a pendant stand with an integral tall, curving handle. The body has a long spout extending from one side. The lid is multi-tiered and ornate, capped by a rounded finial. A slit in the handle would allow it to be hung, spreading light throughout a room. Brass objects from the early modern period were produced in great quantities, but almost never survived, because brass and bronze were constantly appropriated by visiting armies to be turned into artillery. From kitchen utensils to church vessels, everything was melted down to create cannons when soldiers came to town - and in this politically turbulent period, that was often! The style of this lamp looks similar to one known to be used by a baker to light his workspace. Size: 8" W x 9.95" H (20.3 cm x 25.3 cm) c. 1760's. Constructed of three pieces including the body, lid and stand with handle. Early North European type. Scarce. Nice patina on surface from age and handling. Side 1. Side 2. Side 3. Side 4. Side 5. Side 6. Side 7. Side 8.

$250.



EARLY CHRISTIAN SEALS & STAMPS

CRUCIFIXES AND EARLY CHRISTIAN FIGURES

7566. CHOICE RENAISSANCE IRON PUNCH WITH PEDIGREE. Europe, ca. 16th century. Has fine raised Madonna, child at end. Probably used to stamp religious medals for pilgrims. 5". Ex. Joseph Ternbach collection.

$4250.



8772. A CHOICE MEDIEVAL BRONZE KEY HANDLE. Perhaps Frankish or Germanic, ca. 5th-10th century. The heavy solid cast barrel handle terminating in a thick scrolled loop with a finely styled attachment head. 3 inches. The iron portion of the key lost. Very rare and in excellent condition with choice chestnut patina.

$4500.



7265. CHARMING EARLY ITALIAN BRONZE BROOCH WITH EROS CUPID, 18th-19th century. 40 mm. Beautiful artistic workmanship.

$250.



THE LION OF VENICE

8167. MEDIEVAL BRONZE VENETIAN LION, Venice, c. 7th - 12th century. Finely detailed crouching lion. 1.5 inches. Remains of a bronze mounting pin through one paw.

$650.



8326. A FINE RENAISSANCE BRONZE LION APPLIQUE, Southern Europe, Italian or French, c. 12th-16th century. 2.2". Excellent style and patina. Very rare.

$450.



8327. UNUSUAL DARK AGES BRONZE CASKET LEG, c. 5th-7th century. Of barbaric form with a human head protruding from the chest of an eagle. 2". Excellent condition. Rare.

$650.



7073. CHARMING EARLY EUROPEAN IVORY CUPID, 18th-19th century. Very finely carved Cupid standing on ivory base playing the pipes. 3". As made, tiny hole in left buttock for some original attachment. An early classical gem!

$3400.



8161. FINE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE PRAYING YOUTH, c. 15th-16th century. The boy wearing a short tunic and page boy haircut, his hands clasped in prayer above a large cross at his waist. 3.5 inches. Wonderful Renaissance bronze of fine artistic style. Intact and stands on its own. Very rare and desirable. Could be much improved with professional cleaning to reveal original details. Face has more detail than burnt out image shows.

$2500.



THE HEAD OF MOSES

7319. RARE EARLY CHRISTIAN TERRA COTTA HEAD OF MOSES, c. 6th-8th century AD. Gaunt features with long Biblical beard and mustachios typical of the depiction of Moses. 2.75 inches. Very rare.

Provenance: The collection of a prominent Egyptologist by descent assembled in the early part of the 20th century and brought to the US in 1954 with the family.

$650.



8166. EARLY SILVER CHRIST, c. 17th -18th century. Finely detailed figure of Christ from a reliquary cross. Light deposits attesting age. 1.25 x 1.75 inches.

Provenance: The collection of a prominent Egyptologist by descent assembled in the early part of the 20th century and brought to the US in 1954 with the family.

$200.



CHRIST TAMING SATAN'S SERPENT

8328. MEDIEVAL CHRISTIAN APPLIQUÉ, c. 5th-10th century. Seated figure of Christ holding a large serpent, with a large Christian cross on chest. Very interesting object which deserves further study. 1.4". Head missing.

Provenance: The collection of a prominent Egyptologist by descent assembled in the early part of the 20th century and brought to the US in 1954 with the family.

$350.