λ An Italian ivory book cover mount in Byzantine style

λ An Italian ivory book cover mount in Byzantine style, relief carved with the Virgin Mary, within a raised bead, leaf and lambrequin decorated frame, with traces of gilt and polychrome decoration, probably 17th century, Venice, 12 x 11.5cm, in a later velvet mount.

Provenance: Purchased by the current vendor from Kunsthandel Dr. W. Seppman of Haltern, whilst exhibiting at the Olympia Fine Arts Fair, London on the 16th June 1985, as 17th century Venetian. A copy of the original receipt is available.

The Virgin's facial features in this present lot bears close resemblance to a 10th / 11th century ivory statuette of the Virgin Hodegetria in the Metropolitan Museum (accession number 17.190.103). However, the carved leaf border points to more of an Italian and probably Venetian origin and the merging of the Eastern and Western Byzantine styles.