Eastern European Orthodox Bronze Cross Pendant

Restrung group of tubular, biconvex and other types with teardrop pendant centrepiece. 8.9 grams, 36.5 cm



London, UK, collection, 2000s.

With veiled head and wearing a fringed golden maphorion mantle over a dark blue robe with gold cuffs, inclined towards the infant Jesus supported by her right hand; monograms and titling, on each side of her head 'ΜΡ ΘΥ' (Μήτηρ (τοῦ) Θεοῦ = Mother of God), over the child inscription in Greek letters 'ΙϹ ΧϹ' (ΙΗϹΟΥϹ ΧΡΙϹΤΟϹ = Jesus Christ), three letters (only two visible) inside the nimbus of Christ representing the continuous divine self-existence of Christ as God ('O ѾN' = The Only One who always exists); rectangular wooden board with mounting bar to reverse; Moscow School; old label on the back with inscription in Dutch 'A209 Moeder Gods van Wladimir'. 1.3 kg, 35.7 x 31 cm



Acquired on the UK art market. Private collection, London, UK.

The original icon prototype of these smaller icons was the icon of the Virgin Mother of Vladimir with the infant Jesus (the original preserved in the Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow), probably the most famous icon of Russia, which was thought to have been created in Constantinople in the early part of 1100s. This image is sometimes referred to as the ‘tenderness icon’, with artists attempting to show the close relationship of mother and son with their cheeks touching as they embrace.

Painted on a wooden board and covered with a brass riza, with mounting panel to the reverse, depicting the entrance of Christ in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday riding a donkey; crowd within the city wall; followers of Christ in the gateway; Christ with golden nimbus and letters 'ω', 'C' reversed and 'Н'; Greek script title above reciting: 'Η ΒΑΙΦΟΡΟC (Βαϊοφόρος)' (the one who is riding the mule); the background with rocks, tree and the walls of Jerusalem; arabesque decoration to the borders and corners; accompanied by a wooden stand. 762 grams total including stand, Icon: 30.5 x 22.5 cm



Ex David Miller, Hemel Hempstead, London, UK. From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s.

The scene represents a well-known part of the Gospels that describe the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. He makes a grand entrance into the city on a donkey to fulfil the prophecy of Zechariah, “Tell the city of Zion, look, your king is coming to you! He is humble and rides on a donkey and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” The scene is synthetized in the Greek expression ‘Βαϊοφόρος'.