The sale at Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood (plus 21% buyer’s premium) on January 29 – an event dominated by the multi-estimate performance of a Qianlong mark vase in the Ming taste sold at £460,000 (see ATG No 2378) – also included a hardwood (probably olivewood), bone and mother-of-pearl inlaid model of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

Extracted from Antiques Trade Gazette | Terence Ryle

Although catalogued as 19th century, it is similar to other models made by Middle Eastern craftsmen working in Franciscan monasteries in the Holy Land that were sold as prized souvenirs for wealthy pilgrims during the 17th century and early 18th centuries. Dealer Peter Petrou sold one to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston while another is in the collection of the Museum of the Order of St John, Clerkenwell.

This BHL model (the same size as the others at just under 20in/50cm across), had come for sale from Ugbrooke House in Chudleigh, Devon.

It was in distressed condition (a section of the removable dome was missing) but it improved on a modest estimate to bring £25,000. The buyer was from Jerusalem.