Agate Bead Necklace

Depicting Christ dressed in a long purple tunica talaris embroidered with long central vertical gold clavi (stripes) and appliques on the cuffs and around the neck; the dress fastened at the waist by a rope; crowned with thorns and holding an olive branch in his hand; Greek inscription 'Ο ΕΛΚOΜΕΝΟΣ' (= the One who came [in the Name of God]), on the background, and three letters inside the nimbus representing the continuous divine self-existence of Christ as God ('O ѾN' = The Only One who always exists); tempera on wood. 303 grams, 19 x 15 cm



Property of a London, UK, gentleman collector. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Christ, bound and crowned with thorns, is here represented before his Crucifixion. The icon is intended to depict the humility of Christ, ready to be raised on the cross, bringing peace to the humanity (olive branch). The purple robe represents the royalty of Christ, who nevertheless, despite being King of the Universe, humbles himself for the salvation of mankind.

Of irregular rounded profile with incised zigzag hairline, reserved almond-shaped eyes and vertical bar nose, incised left ear; mounted on a custom-made stand; after the antique. 3.25 kg total, 24.6 cm including stand



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Group of five silver-coloured metal thimbles, each with a domed top surmounted by an animal's head (elephant, horse, goat) and one with a model elephant. 71 grams total, 30-41 mm



Property of a South West London gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.