Indus Valley Style Fertility Idol

Saint George on horseback, dispatching the dragon with a spear; the saint dressed in lamellar Roman cuirass and seated on a high-ended saddle secured by breast, rump, and belly straps; Old Slavic inscription on the top, reciting Saint George (Свято́й Гео́ргий ). 90 grams, 65 mm



Acquired from Chris Martin-Zakheim, Iconastas, 5 Piccadilly Arcade, London SW1. From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s.

According to the Christian tradition, Saint George would have lived between the end of the 3rd century and the beginning of the 4th century: born into a noble Christian family, he became an officer in the Roman army and was then named a praetorian by Diocletian. But when the same emperor decided to resume the persecutions, Saint George became a victim despite his important political rank. His role in the development of the faith is so important that he is included among the Great Martyrs of the Eastern Church and his fight against the dragon becomes a symbol par excellence of the fight for good which defeats evil.

Teardrop pendant with openwork border and loop with inset garnet cloison beneath; central pearl set with gold pin; leaf detailing to reverse. 1.74 grams, 19 mm



Ex European collection, 1990s. Ex Cambridgeshire, UK, collection.

With raised right hand, the left hand holding the Gospel, dressed in red tunic and dark-green garment (himation); covered with an elaborate silver oklad with repoussé and chased decoration, mounting bar to reverse, silver-coloured metal with reserved epigraphic panels and circular void to reveal painted icon beneath; separate two-piece gilt revetment, the upper nimbus with pierced edge and reserved capitals, set with four stones; the background panel bearing reserved tendril ornament; incised Cyrillic inscription 'Г[оспо]дь Вседержит[ель]' (= Lord Almighty) on the sides of Jesus; the Gospel with Cyrillic inscription, red foil embroidered in gold; incised three letters in Cyrillic capitals on the gilt nimbus 'ТѠ Ο И' (The only living One). 983 grams, 29 x 25 cm



Acquired on the UK art market. Private collection, London, UK. 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 a search certificate number no.12926-246332.