LOT 0317

Greek Icon with Virgin and Saints George and Demetrius on Horseback

17TH CENTURY A.D.

17 1/4 x 13 3/4 in. (2.4 kg, 44 x 35 cm).

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.

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.

Cf. Vassilaki, Images of the Mother of God, London-New York, 2016, fig.25.7, p.318, for similar icons; Tourta, A. (ed.), Icons from the Orthodox Communities of Albania, Thessaloniki, 2006, p.130.

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.