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LOT 2162
Greek Icon with Saint Nicholas of Myra
GREEK ISLANDS, CIRCA 1800 A.D.
11 5/8 x 9 5/8 in. (942 grams, 29.5 x 24.5 cm).
Tempera on wood with red and green frame, Saint Nicholas with a book in his left hand and making the gesture of blessing with his right, dressed as a bishop, with a green sticharion, covered by a red-pink omophorion, and surmounted by a white epitrachelion embroidered with black crosses; the saint flanked by Jesus and Virgin Mary, Christ holding the Gospel, Mary the bishop’s epitrachelion; Greek inscriptions 'Saint Nikolaos (O A[ΓΙΟΣ] ΝΙΚΟΛΑΟΣ), Iesus Christos (ΙΣ ΧΡ) and Mother of God (ΜΡ ΘΥ)' on the gilt background.
ProvenanceProperty 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.
Cf. Haładewicz-Grzelak, M., ‘Cultural codes in the iconography of St. Nicholas (Santa Claus)’ in Sign Systems Studies 39(1), 2011, pp.105-144, figs.1-2 p.115, for similar Greek icons of the saint.
FootnotesSaint Nicholas lived in 4th century A.D. and was the bishop of Myra, in the Roman Asia Minor. Because of the many miracles attributed to his work, his cult was widespread in the Orthodox world and he is known as Nicholas the wonderworker. His reputation as a secret gift-giver (such as putting coins in the shoes of those who left them outside, or the dowry given to three maidens saving them from prostitution) created a model for Santa Claus. The veneration of the saint, who participated in the Council of Nicaea of 325 A.D., began very soon after his death.
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Post Medieval Embroidered Mitre and Tooled Leather Case
France, circa 1700-1720 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,950
Two boards from an episcopal mitre with linen facing and dense silver-thread foliage ornament to each; housed in a custom-made wooden case with linen lining, leather-covered with tooled and gilt detailing to both faces and sides, episcopal arms to upper face with Catholic episcopal headgear over a heater shield with three fleurs-de-lys in chief and a bend sinister lozengy; to the reverse, five radiating arms pierced to allow straps to pass beneath to secure the lid. 1.38 kg, 43 cm
Francesca Galloway Ltd, 2001. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. -
Thutmose III Grand Tour Scarab
19th century AD.Sold for (Inc. bp): £39
Faience moulded scarab with detailed carapace bearing a cartouche at the apex reading men-kheper-Re, the underside with the same cartouche and an old label 'Tuthmosis III or IV or Menkheper-Re (Pianki)'. 65 grams, 67 mm
From a private, UK, collection in the 1980s. Property of a London, UK, antiquarian. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. -
Wooden Spoon with Cross
Circa 19th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
With low rim to the ovoid bowl, balustered handle and ellipsoid finial with reserved cross motif. 10.7 grams, 13.5 cm
Acquired on the London art market in the late 1980s-1990s. From the family collection of an East London, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
