Merryweather Brass Fireman's Helmet and Hose Nozzle

Composed of a chalcographic print representing the Evangelist Luke who, depicted with a brush and easel, is painting a true image of the Virgin and Child, who appear to him in a cloud radiating Divine Light; a winged ox above; inscription 'S. Lucas Evang.' (St Luke the Evangelist) below; the central image enclosed within a lace frame, decorated with embroidery, containing relics of Saints Magnus, Diodorus and Prosperus; all enclosed in a gilded wooden frame. 1.06 kg, 35 x 28.5 cm



Acquired in Germany. Property of RWM Collection.

According to Christian tradition, St Luke made the first pictorial representations of the Mother of God, which were defined as acheiropitae, that is, not created by humans. The presence of the relics of Saint Magnus (saint patron of Anagni, Lazio), of the Roman martyr St Diodorus and of St Prosperus, (patron saint of Reggio Emilia), would suggest an Italic environment as the centre of production of the sacred image.

The wooden background with an openwork oklad: the Virgin holding the infant Christ, gesturing towards him with her left hand, wearing an embellished floral embroidery, elaborate cuffs to the himation; Christ, seated upon the right arm of Mary, embracing his mother tenderly, his chiton embellished with a sash with geometric patterns; both figures nimbate with elaborate halos, inscription 'ΜΡ ΘΥ' for 'Mother of God' flanking the Virgin's halo, 'IC XC' for 'Jesus Christ' on the other side; winged nimbate ‘Angel of God’ and nimbate Saint Ekaterina in rectangular panels on either side; the reverse with a seal of ‘Εργαστήριο Βυζαντινών Εικόνων, Θεσσαλονίκη’ (Workshop for Byzantine Icons, Thessaloniki).On the bottom of the icon the Greek word A.E, ΘEC – IC, probably for A[RGYRON] E[RGASTERION] THES[SALONIKI]. i.e. laboratory of silver Thessaloniki. 723 grams, 22 x 16.5 cm



Acquired in Germany. Property of RWM Collection.

The icon shows the Virgin in the attitude of Mother of Consolation, or in that of Hodegetria. This is the iconographical type of Virgin Mary one encounters most frequently in an Eastern Orthodox Church or home, Hodegetria meaning 'Mother of God Pointing the Way'. The Virgin Mary is shown with the Christ on her lap, looking at the viewer and her right hand indicating Christ, seeming to say 'Follow Him'.

Complete with leather fitting straps and hazel wood skiing poles with bamboo rings; metal bindings to skis marked 'MESTA PIONIER'; in ash or hickory. 1.7 kg total, 96-98 cm



Acquired from Manfred Schotten Antiques, UK. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by a copy of the previous listing.