Greek Icon with Bust of Saint Eleutherios

A life-size marble upper body of a young female figure, likely the goddess Venus, shrouded in a palla mantle worn over the robe and draped over the head as a hood; the left arm bent to form folds and gatherings in the cloth, the right arm shown beneath the cloth held bent to the right breast. 133 kg, 84 cm high



French collection, 1960s-early 2000s. From an important Paris gallery, France. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11687-199355.

In Roman mythology, Venus was the goddess of love, sex, beauty and fertility. Married to the god Vulcan, Venus' principal divine lover was Mars, with whom she was famously trapped in bed with a net by Vulcan. The goddess also had numerous mortal lovers - Adonis for example. The earliest known appearance of a temple dedicated to Venus was founded on the Aventine Hill in 295 B.C. She is most closely associated with the month of April, the beginning of the season of spring.

A carved marble bust of a mature male with stern features, likely the emperor Carus, shown with short, neatly-dressed hair and beard; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 10.4 kg, 38 cm high including stand



French collection, 1960s-early 2000s. From an important Paris gallery, France. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11694-199338.

Carus reigned 282-283 A.D. He served as a prefect of the guard to emperor Probus, whom he succeeded. Whilst leading a campaign against the Sassanians, Carus died suddenly and under mysterious circumstances, leading to the belief that he was struck by lightning. Little is known of his life, owing to the relative instability of that time period. Whether he had Probus murdered, or whether he was killed by mutinous troops was disputed even by his contemporaries. Carus was succeeded by his sons Carinus and Numerian, although their reigns were short-lived and his dynasty was soon supplanted. Carinus’ lasting legacy was principally the suppression of the authority of the senate. He has gone down in history as one of the tyrants of ancient Rome.

A large icon depicting the Virgin holding the Christ on her lap on a gilt background, both nimbate, the haloes with punched foliate decoration; the Virgin wearing a carmine red maphorion embellished with golden embroidery and fringes, elaborate cuffs and neckline to the himation; the Christ seated on the lap, holding his right arm out and making the blessing sign with his hand, left hand holding an open scroll inscribed in Greek πνευμα κυριου επ εμε ου ενεκεν εχρισεν με ευαγγελιζεσθαι πτωχοις απεσταλκεν με for 'The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor' (Luke 4:18-21), the green chiton and orange himation embellished with red folds; Greek inscription 'ΜΡ ΘΥ' for 'Mother of God' flanking the Virgin's halo, 'IC XC' for 'Jesus Christ' to the right of the Child and inside his nimbus 'O Ѿ N' for 'The Only One who always exists'; some restoration. 4.3 kg, 60 x 42.5 cm

very good condition; tempera on wood panel; vertical crack minimally restored.

Property of a London lady, part of her family's collection. 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 searcher certificate no.11572-198599.

In the Orthodox church, the spaces between the columns close to the central doors of the Iconostasis (Holy Doors) are occupied by two proskynesis icons, representing Christ giving his blessings to the right and to the left the Virgin Mary, with or without the infant, or in interceding position known as Virgin Chalkoprateia type.