Details

LOT 1318

Byzantine Steatite Icon with Military Saint

10TH-12TH CENTURY A.D.

2 3/4 in. (60 grams total, icon: 72 mm high).

Fragment of an icon depicting a facing saint modelled in the half-round within an arch; an ellipsoid low-relief face with hatched collar-length hair, lentoid eyes with pointillé pupils flanking a long nose; wearing a lamellar cuirass (klivanion); stylised sword (spathion) to the shoulder with lobe pommel, piriform blade with hatched median bar and undulations to the flanks (simulating damascening); arch resting on a balustered column with shallow fixing socket above the saint's head; mounted on a custom-made stand.

Provenance

Jacques and Henriette Schumann collection, Paris, France.
with Christie's, Paris, France, 30 September 2003, no.248.
European private collection.

Accompanied by a copy of French passport no.061301, dated 3 September 2003.
Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12690-234660.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Literature

Cf. for similar Chichurov, I.S., Byzantine Cherson, catalogue of exhibition, Moscow, 1991, figs.83, 84; cf. also Kalavrezou-Maxeiner, I., Byzantine Icons in steatite, Wien, 1985, pls. 8 (Athos, Vatopedi Monastery), 11 (Louvre, Saint Demetrios), 15 (Cherson, Saint Demetrios), 21 (Cherson, Saints Theodore, George and Demetrios), 28 (Moscow, Historical Museum).

Footnotes

Jacques and Henriette Schumann were distinguished Parisian collectors known for their discerning taste and passion for antiquities and decorative arts. Their collection, assembled over several decades, reflected a deep appreciation for cultural heritage and historical significance. Works from their collection have been included in major European auctions and are recognised for their provenance and quality.