Egyptian Style Stone Heart Amulet Collection

With raised right hand, the left hand holding the Gospel, dressed in red tunic and dark-green garment (himation); covered with an elaborate silver oklad with repoussé and chased decoration, mounting bar to reverse, silver-coloured metal with reserved epigraphic panels and circular void to reveal painted icon beneath; separate two-piece gilt revetment, the upper nimbus with pierced edge and reserved capitals, set with four stones; the background panel bearing reserved tendril ornament; incised Cyrillic inscription 'Г[оспо]дь Вседержит[ель]' (= Lord Almighty) on the sides of Jesus; the Gospel with Cyrillic inscription, red foil embroidered in gold; incised three letters in Cyrillic capitals on the gilt nimbus 'ТѠ Ο И' (The only living One). 983 grams, 29 x 25 cm



Acquired on the UK art market. Private collection, London, UK. 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.12926-246332.

With blue enamel and framed by a raised border; Saint Julitta and her son, Cyricus, Saint Gregory the Theologian and Saint John the Chrysostom standing beside them at the centre; three half-length figures above: St. Paraskeva (right), Eudokia, and Barbara (left); OCS inscriptions identifying the saints framing the scene; on the top a deesis, with Christ Pantokrator at the centre, flanked by Saint Mary and Saint John the Precursor; at the top left corner Archangel Michael, on the top right corner the Archangel Gabriel; beneath Saint Gabriel, in vertical order, Saint Paul, Saint Gregory the Theologian, Saint Nicholas of Myra, Saint Demetrios; beneath Saint Michael, in vertical order, Saint Peter, Saint Basil the Great, Saint John Chrysostomos and Saint George; in the last row, nearby Saint Andrew, at the centre, the Archangel Raphael, with sword and cross. 360 grams, 14 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.

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 in front of the Divine Deesis.

Each hollow-formed and piriform in plan with high-relief mask, foliage and other detailing. 908 grams total, 11.5-22.5 cm



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