Bowl-shaped incense burner with an accentuated bulge on the - Lot 137

Bowl-shaped incense burner with an accentuated bulge on the body, mounted on a truncated cone-shaped foot. The neck is formed by two bands separated by a bead, decorated with a frieze of foliage at the top. Beneath this frieze, a series of arches is chiseled. The body is decorated in relief with the following Gospel cycle (six scenes from left to right): - Annunciation: an angel on the left and the Virgin Mary standing on the right. - Visitation: Mary and Elizabeth supporting each other. - Nativity: the Virgin reclining, Joseph seated on the left. Between them, the crib with the Child lying down, the heads of the ox and the donkey. In the sky, the star. - Announcement to the shepherds: three shepherds, two of whom point to the star. The third is leaning on a staff. At their feet, dogs and sheep. - Adoration of the Magi: the Virgin Mary seated on the right, holding Jesus who points to a flying angel. The Magi arrive from the left. - Baptism: John the Baptist on the left, his hand on Jesus' head, two angels on the right. In the sky, a dove. - Entrance to Jerusalem: Jesus sits on a long-eared donkey, followed by an apostle. Opposite him, a child spreads a cloth on the ground. An observer. - Crucifixion: Jesus on the cross. Above him, the sun and moon. Below, Mary and John stand in pain. - Myrophores at the tomb: scene inside the tomb. Angel seated at right speaks to the two women. The dome of the Holy Sepulchre covers the group. It stands on a high foot decorated with a plant frieze, a Byzantine cross below the base. Bronze finish. Several visible missing parts, including the three suspension lugs, holes. Byzantine Empire, probably Syria, 7th - 8th century Height: 10.2 cm Provenance : From a copy of the collectors' notes, acquired from Zakos in Istanbul in 1963. Several models of this type can be found in various museums and private collections, including a very similar one in the Musée d'art et d'histoire de Genève (AD 2400), dated 7th century, Byzantine Empire, Syria or Palestine; another in the Musée du Louvre, Paris (E11709). Collection Nicole et Jean-Michel Thierry - lots 1 to 141.