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LOT 0362
Large Diptych of the Mother of God as Hodegetria
EARLY 16TH CENTURY A.D.
19 1/4 x 21 7/8 in. (3.6 kg, 49 x 55.5 cm (opened)).
Tempera on two wooden panels executed on a green ground; the upper part of the left panel showing the nimbate Theotokos (Mother of God) with veiled head and mantle, pointing the infant Jesus supported by her left hand, wearing a red-gold maphorion mantle over a dark blue robe with gold cuffs; the infant facing away to left, dressed in blue tunic, wrapped in a red orange shawl, right hand extended towards his mother in a blessing gesture; beside Mary inscriptions in red Greek letters 'ΜΡ' and 'ΘΥ' (Μήτηρ (τοῦ) Θεοῦ = Mother of God), and beside the child the Greek letters 'ΙϹ ΧϹ' (ΙΗϹΟΥϹ ΧΡΙϹΤΟϹ = Jesus Christ); in the lower part of the panel, God emerging as a half-bust from the sky, blessing the three theologians, Saint Basil of Caesarea, Saint John Chrysostom and Saint Gregory the Theologian, all dressed in ecclesiastic high garments, their names written in Greek beside their heads; the upper part of the right panel showing Christ Pantokrator, Lord of the Universe, the right hand in blessing gesture, the left hand holding a Gospel decorated with precious stones, wearing a blue chlamys and red sticharion embroidered with a gold clavus; in the lower part Saints Onuphrius, Saint Nicholas of Myra and Antony the Great of the Desert, the first naked and covered only by a leaf, the second in bishopric garments and the third in monastic garments, their names written in Greek beside their heads; all the haloes are in gold, the ones of Christ marked by a red cross.
ProvenanceAcquired on the European 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.12794-240887.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Cf. as a prototype for the icons of the Hodegetria and the Pantokrator united in a diptych, see the icon of Korsunskaya Hodegetria, in Kremlin Museum, Byzantium, 13th century A.D.
FootnotesThe diptych is a synthesis of Orthodox belief: from one point of view, it shows the human nature of God, born from the Virgin; from the other the divine nature of Jesus Christ as the supreme Lord of the Universe. The icon skilfully depicts the subjects, with Mary pointing towards the infant Jesus, the faces rendered with dramatically emphasised features and dark tones.
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LOT 0362
Large Diptych of the Mother of God as Hodegetria
Estimate £8,000 - 10,000€9,280 - 11,600 (for guidance only)$10,800 - 13,500 (for guidance only)
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Large Diptych of the Mother of God as Hodegetria
Early 16th century A.D.Estimate: £8,000 - 10,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £4,000
Tempera on two wooden panels executed on a green ground; the upper part of the left panel showing the nimbate Theotokos (Mother of God) with veiled head and mantle, pointing the infant Jesus supported by her left hand, wearing a red-gold maphorion mantle over a dark blue robe with gold cuffs; the infant facing away to left, dressed in blue tunic, wrapped in a red orange shawl, right hand extended towards his mother in a blessing gesture; beside Mary inscriptions in red Greek letters 'ΜΡ' and 'ΘΥ' (Μήτηρ (τοῦ) Θεοῦ = Mother of God), and beside the child the Greek letters 'ΙϹ ΧϹ' (ΙΗϹΟΥϹ ΧΡΙϹΤΟϹ = Jesus Christ); in the lower part of the panel, God emerging as a half-bust from the sky, blessing the three theologians, Saint Basil of Caesarea, Saint John Chrysostom and Saint Gregory the Theologian, all dressed in ecclesiastic high garments, their names written in Greek beside their heads; the upper part of the right panel showing Christ Pantokrator, Lord of the Universe, the right hand in blessing gesture, the left hand holding a Gospel decorated with precious stones, wearing a blue chlamys and red sticharion embroidered with a gold clavus; in the lower part Saints Onuphrius, Saint Nicholas of Myra and Antony the Great of the Desert, the first naked and covered only by a leaf, the second in bishopric garments and the third in monastic garments, their names written in Greek beside their heads; all the haloes are in gold, the ones of Christ marked by a red cross. 3.6 kg, 49 x 55.5 cm (opened)
Acquired on the European 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.12794-240887. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
The diptych is a synthesis of Orthodox belief: from one point of view, it shows the human nature of God, born from the Virgin; from the other the divine nature of Jesus Christ as the supreme Lord of the Universe. The icon skilfully depicts the subjects, with Mary pointing towards the infant Jesus, the faces rendered with dramatically emphasised features and dark tones. -
Orthodox Silver-Gilt Signet Ring
19th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £780
With shank widening to the shoulder decorated with flowers, rosettes and acanthus leaf pattern, some elements picked out in gilt; square bezel engraved with a heart crossed by an Orthodox cross and anchor with All Seeing Eye in radiate triangle above, two line inscription around the side. 9.19 grams, 25.45 mm overall, 22.08 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Y 1/2, USA 12 1/4, Europe 28.2, Japan 27
Property of a London gentleman; acquired by his father in the 1970s; thence by descent. From the private collection of a Kent, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Brass Cat and Bear Statuettes
19th-early 20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £7
Comprising of a seated guardant cat with a raised leg and curved tail, a polar bear with head turned up. 280 grams total, 52-70 mm
Ex property of a London collector; acquired 1960s. Property of a North London, UK, lady. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
