Egyptian Style Steatite Fish Amulet

Depicting the Mother of God of Kazan with the Divine Child; the head of Mary slightly turned left towards infant Jesus extending his right hand in blessing; both figures with large haloes and identifying Greek inscriptions 'ΜΡ ΘΥ' (Mother of God) and 'O Ѡ N' (I am); three flowers in the nimbus of the Virgin; knop at the top for the suspension. 34.3 grams, 59 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 original icon prototype of these smaller icons, also known as the Theotokos of Kazan, is thought to have originated in Constantinople in the 13th century before it was taken to Russia. When the Turks took over Kazan in 1438, the icon was most probably hidden to keep it safe. Ivan the Terrible liberated Kazan in 1552, and the town was destroyed by fire in 1579, after which the icon was found and brought to the Church of Saint Nicholas. It was subsequently stolen in 1904 and never found again, though there are many copies in existence.

Rectangular vellum fragment with painted architectural image to obverse with single caption; six lines of Ge'ez script to reverse. 7 grams, 29.9 cm



Collection of David Buxton (1910-2003), author of 'Travels in Ethiopia', 1949.

The domed head adorned with filigree roundels and circlets interspersed with granules, decoratively notched rim; S-shaped hook to reverse. 5.66 grams, 19 mm



From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.