Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 0322
Greek Icon with Bust of Saint Eleutherios
18TH CENTURY A.D.
14 3/4 x 11 1/4 in. (1.9 kg, 37.5 x 28.7 cm).
A wooden painted icon of Saint Eleutherios with a repoussé silver oklad that covers all but the face, embossed in rich priestly robes, representing the priest's omophorion decorated with crosses, over an embroidered robe or sticharion, the nimbus gilded and embossed with foliage and rays over a silver background, Greek inscription 'O AΓΙΟΣ ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΙΟΣ' (Saint Eleutherios) to the sides.
Provenance
Property of a London lady, part of her family's collection.
Literature
Cf. similar icon (style and face) of Nikolaos Kallergis (18th century), in Byzantine Museum of Zakynthos; for the iconography of Saint Eleftherios Charalambos D. Vasilopolou, Αγιος Ελευθεριος (Saint Eleftherios, in Greek), Livani, 2019.
Footnotes
As bishop in Illyricum, Eleutherios promoted the cause of at a time when the persecutions not only made it difficult to win and hold converts, but also at a time when the gravest danger was in being a high-ranking prelate of the Church. Oblivious to this threat, he was acclaimed in the inner circle of Christianity as the brightest luminary of Christian Rome since the apostles. His immense popularity grew and thereby became more dangerous to the state. He was finally brought to the attention of Emperor Hadrian, who ordered his arrest, and then cast into prison, tortured, and put to death on December 15th.
CONDITIONVETTING:
TimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
RELATED LOTS
-
Post Medieval Wooden Painted Casket
French, 15th-17th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,235
A wooden casket or reliquary with hand-made iron hinges, lock, hasp and other fittings; painted exterior in red with floral sprays, robed figure with advancing processional cross, robed nimbate figure with episcopal mitre, 'IHS' emblem to one end wall. 612 grams, 19 cm wide
Lock and one hinge broken.
English private collection. -
Greek Icon with Virgin and Saints George and Demetrius on Horseback
17th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,860
An exquisite tempera with gold ground on wood icon depicting Mary surrounded by saints and holding the Divine Child in her arms; Mary seated on an elaborate throne and crowned as the Queen of the Universe with two angels supporting her crown, Greek inscription 'MP' and 'ΘΥ' for Mother of God to each side of the crown, wearing a scarlet red maphorion embroidered with gold and a long dark blue tunica talaris; Jesus dressed in a linen tunic and a yellow cloak, affectionately gazing up and making the sign of blessing with his right hand; four saints flanking the throne, three of whom dressed in Bishop's attire, far left Saint Basil with his name written in Greek, and the others possibly saints Elias, Nicholas and Gregorius Nazianzus; the lower part of the icon with Saint George on horseback killing the dragon and Saint Demetrius on horseback killing the king of Avars, both saints dressed in pseudo-Roman armour and armed with a spear. 2.4 kg, 44 x 35 cm
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 search certificate number no.11570-198597.
The representation of the icon is centred on the image of the Mother of God as ‘The Sovereign’ (Vasilissa, Queen of the Universe). Here, Mary assumes the function of the protector of the believers, reinforced by the presence of the angels. Due to her earthly origin, Mary always maintained an intermediary position in the heavenly realms, becoming an indispensable intercessor on behalf of humans before the Lord. The protection offered by her is reinforced by the presence of the two major protectors of the humans against evil: Saint George and Saint Demetrius. -
.jpg)
Tortoise and Lion Amulet Group
20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £10
A black jasper figurine depicting a tortoise with domed shell, plate detailing to the back and underneath, small erect head; offered with a green stone cat amulet, pierced longitudinally. 60 grams total, 32-51 mm
Fine condition.
Acquired on the London art market before 1999. Ex property of a West London gentleman.
