Ancient Art, Antiquities, Books, Natural History, Stamps & Coins

With blue champlevé enamel, depicting scenes of the life of Prophet Elijah: on the bottom right Elijah rolling up his mantle and dividing the waters of the Jordan, in front of his disciple Elisha; on the bottom left Elijah watched over by the Angel; on the top right Elijah ascending to heaven on a Chariot of Fire, assisted by the hand of God; on the left Elijah, covered by his mantle, fed by ravens; frame with blue enamel over gilded pseudo-vegetal decorations. 585 grams, 14.3 cm



Acquired from Chris Martin-Zakheim, Iconastas, 5 Piccadilly Arcade, London SW1. From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s.

The icon represents the Ascension of the prophet Elijah and other scenes from his life. Elijah is ascending to heaven in a fiery chariot drawn by horses, leaving his mantle to his disciple Elisha, symbolising the transmission of his prophetic mission. Among the great figures of the Bible, the prophet Elijah was one of the most venerated figures in Orthodoxy.

Comprising nine rings, including one buckle ring, one with a heart-shaped bezel, and others. 20.8 grams total, 18-25 mm



Found Suffolk, UK.

Comprising a bulbous body with an everted rim and a loop handle to the rear, three flaring feet on the underside. 1.05 kg, 20.6 cm wide



From a UK collection formed in the 1980s. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.

Hollow-formed with hexagonal-section arms, each with a raised collar bearing an incised legend 'ME DU CI TO CE LOS' and granule finial; granules between the arms; blackletter legend 'CLUNY' vertically and 'a vol duci' horizontally; suspension ring. 33.32 grams, 59 mm



Ex Cornish collection, UK. Property of a London, UK, antiquarian.

The Abbaye de Cluny is a site of pilgrimage, a former Benedictine monastery.

The sprung nip on a tall stem wrought with three S-scrolls for holding spare splints, on a tripod base. 1.7 kg, 68.7 cm



Ex Nic McElhatton, former chairman of Christie's South Kensington. Property of a Berkshire, UK, collector. Accompanied by a copy of McElhatton's cataloguing page. Accompanied by copies of the relevant book pages where published.

Depicting Deesis with Jesus at the centre, Saint Mary on the left and Saint John the Baptist on the right; Jesus seated upon a throne, depicted with the open Gospel in his left hand and raising his right hand in blessing; Mary, with veiled head and mantle, wearing a maphorion mantle over an embroidered robe and holding a scroll; the Deesis surrounded by a theory of saints, with Saint Zosima and Saint Sabbas making the Proskynesis in front of the Christ; Old Slavic inscription above the figures: 'ΙC ΧΡ' (Jesus Christ). 67 grams, 64 mm



Acquired from Chris Martin-Zakheim, Iconastas, 5 Piccadilly Arcade, London SW1. From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s.

The Deisis or Deesis (Деисус, Gk. for “supplication”) was the depiction of the Virgin, John the Baptist and possibly other saints interceding with Christ on behalf of mankind.

Comprising a bulbous body and thickened rim, single handle to the rear; collector's label 'Simon Bendall Collection C157' on the base. 1.09 kg, 17.5 cm



From the private collection of Simon Bendall, collection reference number C157. Property of a Kent, UK, lady collector.

Formed as a chalice with a flared foot and a sturdy shank, bowl with a carinated profile and an everted rim. 3.3 kg, 24 cm high



From Maa Oriental Gallery, Bath, UK; and a West Country collection, 1990-2000.

Comprising: a fastener with a bust; a large fastener with a lozenge-shaped plate with a floral motif; a wire fastener with two hooked ends, wire decoration and two decorative beads. 7.69 grams total, 28-41 mm



From the private collection of Graham Slater (1927-2024), Cambridge, UK; formed 1980s-1990s.

The tubular body and lid in turned and polished agate with gold fittings. 60.6 grams, 10.9 cm



Private collection, Europe. Acquired on the English art market.

Rectangular panel showing a nimbate saint in full armour, supporting a bow and a long spear on his right shoulder, and a shield with his left hand, inscription above; an old handwritten label to the reverse reading 'Judy took it to the British Museum who said it is 17th century from Macedonia. It is only a fragment of the left side of a triptych and is a warrior saint, saint [ ...] os. From George Churchill Xmas 1989'. 127 grams, 14.5 x 11.9 cm



The Cotswold Auction Company, Cheltenham, UK, 14 December 2021, no.97. Private collection, Suffolk.

Comprising a D-section hoop with plain exterior, inner face inscribed with 'Feare God only'. 2.99 grams, 22.24 mm overall, 18.65 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R, USA 8 1/2, Europe 18 3/4, Japan 18)



Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a Suffolk, UK, gentleman.