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LOT 0373
Painted Wooden Icon with the Virgin of Vladimir
RUSSIA, 18TH CENTURY A.D.
14 x 12 1/8 in. (1.3 kg, 35.7 x 31 cm).
With veiled head and wearing a fringed golden maphorion mantle over a dark blue robe with gold cuffs, inclined towards the infant Jesus supported by her right hand; monograms and titling, on each side of her head 'ΜΡ ΘΥ' (Μήτηρ (τοῦ) Θεοῦ = 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); rectangular wooden board with mounting bar to reverse; Moscow School; old label on the back with inscription in Dutch 'A209 Moeder Gods van Wladimir'.
ProvenanceAcquired on the UK art market.
Private collection, London, UK.
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.
FootnotesThe original icon prototype of these smaller icons was 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 Russia, which 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 0373
Painted Wooden Icon with the Virgin of Vladimir
Estimate £1,200 - 1,700€1,390 - 1,970 (for guidance only)$1,620 - 2,300 (for guidance only)
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Russian Orthodox Enamelled Bronze Travel Icon with Saint George
19th century A.D.Estimate: £120 - 170 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £60
Saint George on horseback, dispatching the dragon with a spear; the saint dressed in lamellar Roman cuirass and seated on a high-ended saddle secured by breast, rump, and belly straps; Old Slavic inscription on the top, reciting Saint George (Свято́й Гео́ргий ). 90 grams, 65 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 praetorian 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. -
Parthian Style Marble Female Dignitary
20th century A.D or earlierSold for (Inc. bp): £494
Carved in the round nude female supporting her weight on her left arm and thigh, holding a rectangular block to her side beneath her breast. 720 grams, 25 cm
Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016. -
Russian Orthodox Enamelled Bronze Travel Icon with Saint Julyttas and Her Son Cyricus
19th century A.D.Estimate: £200 - 300 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £100
With polychrome enamel in green, blue and yellow, framed by a square border with pointed doom, representing Saint Julyttas and her son Cyricus, surrounded by Saints; on the top, Christ Pantokrator, nimbate, making the gesture of blessing and holding a Gospel, seated upon a cloud and surrounded by Cyrillic letters 'ΙC ΧΡ' (Jesus Christ); Cyrillic inscriptions above some of the saints. 325 grams, 13.5 cm
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.
Made of bronze with brightly coloured enamels, this icon was intended for private devotion, often carried by pilgrims and Orthodox believers for spiritual protection. St. Julyttas and her son Cyricus (Ки́рик и Иули́тта), among the most venerated figures in Russian tradition, are depicted in the centre, surrounded by other saints, a symbol of the communion of the righteous.
