Details

LOT 2072

Greek Icon with Mother of God 'Hodegetria' with Silver-Gilt Cover

19TH CENTURY A.D.

8 5/8 x 5 7/8 in. (574 grams, 22 x 15 cm).

In oil and tempera on a slightly curved wooden panel, depicting the Theotokos (Mother of God) and the infant Jesus on a plain green field; Mary wearing a red maphorion mantle over a dark blue robe, with elaborate golden brocade to the hem, floral ornaments to the upper part of the garment; the infant facing to left, resting on Mary's left arm, dressed in white tunic, wrapped in a red shawl, right hand making the pax gesture, left hand extended holding a scroll; Greek inscription in red lettering 'ΜΡ ΘΥ (Μήτηρ (τοῦ) Θεοῦ = Mother of God)' flanking Mary's head; inscription in Greek 'ΙϹ ΧϹ (ΙΗϹΟΥϹ ΧΡΙϹΤΟϹ = Jesus Christ)' above the infant; silver-gilt repoussé cover with inscription.

Provenance

Property of a London, UK, gentleman collector.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Literature

Cf. Geelmuyden Bulgurlu, V., Ulf, A., Lindgren, N., Bodin, H., Balicka-Witakowska, E., Five essays on icons, Stockholm & Istanbul, 2005, fig.2, p.92, for similar.

Footnotes

The icon shows the Virgin in the attitude of Hodegetria. This is the iconographical type of Virgin Mary one encounters most frequently in an Eastern Orthodox church or home, Hodegetria meaning 'Mother of God Pointing the Way'. The Virgin Mary is shown with the Christ on her lap, looking at the viewer and her right hand indicating Christ, seeming to say 'Follow Him'.