Green Glass Gemstone with Portrait of a Man in Silver Ring

Comprising two designs in relief including three horses in an enclosure and two animals, likely cats, fighting; coloured glazes. 1.2 kg total, 10 x 9.5 cm each



Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.

Depicting a richly dressed facing figure, crowned and nimbate, winged angels on clouds flanking the head; holding a cross in her right hand and a scroll in her proper left arm bearing handwritten Slavic script of the Nicene Creed; additional Slavic script with her name across the right and left fields. 854 grams, 31 cm

The timber shows some old insect flight holes and we are advised that this piece has been recently treated with Permthrin, as a precaution.

Ex French gallery, Paris.

Saint Paraskevi is usually depicted holding an Eastern Cross and a scroll with the words from the Nicene Creed (here, in old Slavonic: Верую во единаго Бога Отца, Вседержителя, Творца небу и земли,видимым же всем и невидимым = We believe in one God, the Father, the almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen), professing her faith in another while being crowned with the crown of the martyrdom by two angels.

Of octagonal form, basket of flowers at centre with linear and foliate borders; repaired. 283 grams, 19 cm wide



Acquired 1960s-1990s. Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.