Jacobean Painted Wooden Figure

With slots and mounting panels to the reverse; sheet silver basma composed of decorative impressed strips trimmed to the outline of the painted image; icon of 'Virgin Donskaya' (Our Lady of the River Don), Mary wearing a dark purple veil and mantle with jewelled trim and tasselled fringe to the crook of the arm, infant Jesus supported by her right arm; rectangular panels with monograms flanking Mary's head; 'ΜΡ' and 'ΘΥ' (Μήτηρ (τοῦ) Θεοῦ = Mother of God), over the child inscription in Greek letters 'ΙϹ ΧϹ' (ΙΗϹΟΥϹ ΧΡΙϹΤΟϹ = Jesus Christ), three letters (only two visible) inside the nimbus of Christ representing the continuous divine self-existence of Christ as God ('O ѾN' = The Only One who always exists). 1.05 kg, 31.5 cm high

Fine condition.

Ex property of a London lady, part of her family's collection.

The original of this icon (Our Lady of the Don) is a 14th century icon, with the characteristics of the Eleusa (Virgin of the tenderness), by the great painter Theophan the Greek, circa 1382-1395, held in the Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow.

Presenting a scalloped frame and bifacial black enamelled detailing: one side with the Crucifixion scene, niello 'IC XC' in the field, two saints at the foot of the cross, scrolling borders; the reverse with 'IC XC / NI KA' over two lines with cross between; articulate and facetted loop. 30.9 grams, 51 mm



From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.

A small reliquary pendant, possibly containing the remains of cloth or bone of a saint. The relics had to be kept in containers that expressed the dignity of their contents: chests, cases and, of course, reliquaries. This also applied to personal relics, often in the form of pendants, which were sometimes made in gold and silver.

Mixed group of silver-coloured metal pendants comprising: lion-mask with radiating leaves, domed plaque with repoussé foliage, T-shaped panel with birds in a landscape. 82 grams total, 51-69 mm



Property of a South West London gentleman.