Agate Bead and Pendant Group

Plaque with narrow border enclosing a figural scene with a colonnade and façade flanked by olive trees; central arch with two nimbate and robed figures clasping hands with a third figure behind them wearing a headdress; set in a gold frame with suspension loop; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 19.61 grams, 54 mm



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

The subject is the marriage ceremony between Mary, 'the Virgin', and Joseph.

With polychrome enamel in green, blue and yellow, framed by a square border with pointed doom, representing Saint Julyttas and her son Cyricus, surrounded by Saints; on the top, Christ Pantokrator, nimbate, making the gesture of blessing and holding a Gospel, seated upon a cloud and surrounded by Cyrillic letters 'ΙC ΧΡ' (Jesus Christ); Cyrillic inscriptions above some of the saints. 325 grams, 13.5 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.

Made of bronze with brightly coloured enamels, this icon was intended for private devotion, often carried by pilgrims and Orthodox believers for spiritual protection. St. Julyttas and her son Cyricus (Ки́рик и Иули́тта), among the most venerated figures in Russian tradition, are depicted in the centre, surrounded by other saints, a symbol of the communion of the righteous.

Each with a shallow circular bowl and sturdy stem, six with a stamped X-motif within pelletted border to the bowl, and two with three stamped rosettes above letters(?). 839 grams total, 16.5 cm



Acquired in the Netherlands in the 1990s. Ex Cambridgeshire, UK, gentleman.