Lapis Lazuli Bead Necklace String

Composed of cylindrical, tabular and conical beads, with a large elbow bead to the centre. 57 grams, 30 cm



From the family collection of a Hampstead gentleman; formerly acquired in the 1980s.

Depicting the Deesis divided in three panels, with Jesus Christ at the centre, Saint Mary on the left panel and Saint John the Baptist on the right; God holding the Gospel in his left hand and raising his right hand in blessing; Mary with veiled head and mantle, wearing a maphorion mantle over an embroidered robe and holding a scroll; Saint John, portrayed as an elderly man, wearing a camel-skin robe, winged and holding a bowl containing an infant with flexed legs and raised right hand, the saint’s right hand pointing toward the infant Jesus, his left hand holding a scroll with the prophecy of Isaiah, while the right hand is raised in blessing gesture; Old Slavic inscription around the figures: 'ΙC ΧΡ' (Jesus Christ); 'ΜΡ ϴΥ'(Mother of God), ‘Saint John the Precursor’ (Иоа́нн Предте́ча); the images framed by a pseudo-vegetal and abstract decorations; the instruments of the Passion and the city of Jerusalem on the cover. 553 grams, 10 cm



Ex David Miller, Hemel Hempstead, London, UK. From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s.

The Deisis or Deesis (Деисус, Gk. for “supplication”) was the depiction of the Virgin, John the Baptist and possibly many more saints interceding with Christ on behalf of mankind.

Representing the subject of the advocation of Virgin Mary, depicted as a haloed robed woman, standing with her arms extended outwards, figures kneeling at her side, Greek inscription 'ΜΡ ϴΥ’ (Mother of God) above; the other panels with the entrance of Christ in Jerusalem (top left); the Presentation to the Temple (bottom left); the Resurrection (top right) and the Ascension (bottom right); Cyrillic inscriptions over each of the scenes; on the crest and finial, the Trinity (three angels with cups) flanked by Cherubins, the Mandylion above. 85 grams, 90 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.

The icon represents the Intercession of Mary, 'Joy of all who sorrow'. It formed the central part of a triptych with the Mother of God at the centre, surmounted by iconography of veneration. The other parts of the triptych are embossed with scenes of the lives of Christ.