Lapis Lazuli Bead Necklace String

An openwork devotional pendant depicting Santiago Matamoros, Saint James the 'Moor-slayer', trampling a fallen opponent with his horse, brandishing a sword and a standard. 6.5 grams, 45 mm



From continental Europe. Acquired on the UK art market in the 1970s-1990s. Property of a Nottinghamshire, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Standing with head lowered and facing slightly right. 297 grams, 13 cm long



From the private collection of John Meredith, acquired since the 1990s; thence by descent.

Showing Saint George on horseback, dispatching the dragon with a spear thrust; the Saint dressed in a soft cuirass and seated on a high-ended saddle secured by breast, rump, and belly straps; on the right, the walls of Trebisonda and on the bottom right the princess; Old Slavic inscription on the top, reciting Saint George of Cappadocia (Свято́й Гео́ргий Каппадоки́йский); at the top, the Christ Mandylion inscribed inside a cross. 71 grams, 87 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 prefect 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.