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LOT 0380
Large Russian Virgin of Vladimir Icon
CIRCA 1860 A.D.
22 1/4 x 18 1/8 in. (6.5 kg, 56.5 x 46 cm).
Depicting nimbate Mary Theotokos with veiled head and wearing a maphorion mantle over a dark blue robe with gold cuffs, inclined towards the infant Jesus supported by her right hand, his left arm wrapped around her neck and the right hand resting on her chest; gilt field and border with colourful enamelled detailing to the corners, roundels and rectangles with monograms and titling, on each side of her head 'ΜΡ ΘΥ' (Μήτηρ (τοῦ) Θεοῦ = Mother of God), over her left shoulder Cyrillic inscription 'Влади́мирская Б.М.' (Vladimir 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); Moscow School.
ProvenanceEx property of a London lady, part of her family's collection.
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 no. 11543-196361.
See Weizmann, K. et al., The Icon, New York, 1982; Popescu, G.A., Cristiani d'Oriente, spiritualità, arte e potere nell'Europa Post-Bizantina, Milano, 1999; Geelmuyden Bulgurlu, V., Ulf, A., Lindgren, N., Bodin, H., Balicka-Witakowska, E., Five essays on icons, Stockholm & Istanbul, 2005, fig.6, p.31.
FootnotesThis splendid specimen was probably originally housed in an aristocratic Russian home. The icon of the Virgin Mother of Vladimir with the infant Jesus (the original preserved in the Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow), probably the most famous icon of all of Russia, was thought to have been created in Constantinople in the early part of 1100s. This image is sometimes referred to as the ‘tenderness icon’, with artists attempting to show the close relationship of mother and son with their cheeks touching as they embrace.
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LOT 0380
Large Russian Virgin of Vladimir Icon
Estimate £5,000 - 7,000€5,800 - 8,120 (for guidance only)$6,750 - 9,450 (for guidance only)
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Georgian Bronze Weight Collection
18th-19th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £39
Set of nested weights with their values punched into the surface. 140 grams total, 15-39 mm
Ex Simmons gallery, 1990s. From a North London, UK, collection. -
Russian Wooden Icon with St John the Baptist
19th century A.D.Estimate: £3,000 - 4,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,500
Comprising a painted board with mounting panel and slots to the reverse, gessoed surface with painting of St John the Baptist standing nimbate with wings spread behind him, left hand supporting a bowl containing his severed head and holding an unfurled scroll with Cyrillic text 'Repent ye, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand,' (Matthew 3:2); right hand raised in blessing; landscape with sand-dunes and trees; gilded title above; the upper border with gilt Slavonic inscription reading 'Holy John the Forerunner'; from the Palekh Icon School, probably made in Mstera circa 1890. 1.02 kg, 31 cm high
Fine condition.
Ex property of a London lady, part of her family's collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate no.11546-196366.
The Palekh icon school emerged in the 17th century, inspired by the Moscow and Suzdal traditions of icon painting. Although preserving many features of traditional Russian iconography, the school created its own style that remained active into the 18th century. The hallmarks of the school include the frequent use of gold on the clothes of the saints and a rich palette. Bodies are shown as tall and slender and abrupt transitions between light and shadow are distinctive features of Palekh icons. The wings of Saint John derive from the double meaning of the Greek word used to describe him in Mark 1:2 - Angelos, meaning both messenger and angel. John is often called a 'Heavenly Man' and 'Earthly Angel' in Orthodoxy. At his feet is shown a small tree with an axe cutting into it, illustrating Luke 3:9, 'And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the tree...' -
Renaissance Stained Glass Panel with The Stoning of the Elders
Southern Low Countries, circa 1580 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,380
Ellipsoid plaque in a lead frame depicting two bearded men tied to posts with other figures around picking up stones to throw at them, discarded weapons on the ground; city wall in the background. 351 grams, 27.5 cm wide
De Baecque Vente, Paris, France, 5 March 2022, no.46. Ex central London gallery.
