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LOT 2216
Greek Wooden Icon with Christ 'O Elkomenos'
EARLY 19TH CENTURY A.D.
7 1/2 x 6 in. (303 grams, 19 x 15 cm).
Depicting Christ dressed in a long purple tunica talaris embroidered with long central vertical gold clavi (stripes) and appliques on the cuffs and around the neck; the dress fastened at the waist by a rope; crowned with thorns and holding an olive branch in his hand; Greek inscription 'Ο ΕΛΚOΜΕΝΟΣ' (= the One who came [in the Name of God]), on the background, and three letters inside the nimbus representing the continuous divine self-existence of Christ as God ('O ѾN' = The Only One who always exists); tempera on wood.
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. for a similar icon the icon of the Church of the Chains of Christ (Elkomenou Christou) in Monemvasia; for the Byzantine prototype of the Elkomenos, see the painting of Roustika Church of Virgin and Saviour, in Crete, in Spatharakis, I., Byzantine Wall-Paintings in Rhethymnon, Chortatzi & Rethymnon, 1998, p.37, fig.34.
FootnotesChrist, bound and crowned with thorns, is here represented before his Crucifixion. The icon is intended to depict the humility of Christ, ready to be raised on the cross, bringing peace to the humanity (olive branch). The purple robe represents the royalty of Christ, who nevertheless, despite being King of the Universe, humbles himself for the salvation of mankind.
CONDITIONTimeLine 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:
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Large Cretan Wooden Icon Fragment of Deesis with Christ Pantocrator and Saint John the Prodromos
Circa 1670 A.D.Estimate: £1,200 - 1,700 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £650
Depicting Christ Pantocrator and Saint John on his side, hand of Mary visible on the left; the Lord of the Universe represented seated upon a cushioned throne, the right hand in blessing gesture, the left hand holding a Gospel decorated with precious stones; wearing a blue chlamys and red sticharion; Saint John in proskynesis in front of Christ, dressed in a brown vestis talaris; the head of both surrounded by a red halo; later wire for hanging to the reverse with an information sheet in German. 1.8 kg, 57 cm
Ex Hargesheimen Auction House, Dusseldorf, Germany. 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.
The icon represents a middle section from a Deesis of a church iconostasis. Although preserved as a fragment, it is designed in the high style of the late 16th century. -
Scottish Masonic 32nd Degree Gold and Platinum Ring with 1 Carat Diamond
20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,950
Comprising a wide D-shaped 14 carat yellow gold hoop expanding at the shoulders, pelletted band above a triangle to each shoulder, one with '32' and the other with Hebrew letter 'yod'; openwork platinum bezel formed as a double-headed eagle gripping a perch and with its wings spread, the body set with a one carat brilliant cut diamond (small chip); stamped to the inner face '14 KT PLAT'. 14.67 grams, 25.80 mm overall, 20.21 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R 1/2, USA 8 3/4, Europe 19.38, Japan 18)
Acquired on the UK art market. Ex Property of a County Durham collector. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12490-230251. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
There is no officially mandated design for 32nd degree Scottish Rite rings beyond the double-headed eagle, hence they can vary greatly in appearance. Common symbols include the number 32, triangles, the Hebrew letter yod (as in this example), and the square and compasses. Since the 32nd degree ring is a reflection of its owner's Masonic journey, the rings can sometimes also contain symbols from other Masonic orders. -
Roman Style Silver Statuette of a Magistrate
20th century A.D. or earlierSold for (Inc. bp): £26
Standing erect with left hand extended gripping a scroll; wearing a full toga fastened at the waist and draped over the body; the head with short hair in the Julian style and a laurel wreath to the brow; after the antique; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 98 grams total, 93 mm including stand
From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
The statuette represents a city magistrate clad in a toga, the most famous 'official' civil dress of the Roman period between the first century B.C. and the first century A.D. The fully developed toga of Consular and Imperial Rome was shaped as a segment of a circle and about 18 and a half feet long by seven feet wide at its centre. It was decorated at times by a purple or red stripe along the straight edge. The type of garment of our statuette is similar to the one seen on the statue of Emperor Titus at the Vatican Museum.