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LOT 1400
Post Byzantine Triptych Centre Icon of the Intercession
17TH-19TH CENTURY A.D.
5 1/8 in. (142 grams, 13 cm high).
A central plaque from a brass triptych with standing nimbate Mother of God, dressed in a chlamys and tunica talaris, with her arms extended outward and the head turned to the right, surrounded by two groups of worshippers, arranged in three rows: the angels at the top, the right ones at the centre and prophets with angels at the bottom; two flags flying horizontally on each side of her head, surrounded by plant decorations, while the sun and moon are depicted at the two corners of the plaque, separated by an inscription in Russian; in the upper part, in the shape of an eastern dome, is represented the Holy Trinity, Father and Son, seated on a throne of clouds, a cross in the middle surmounted by a dove. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired on the UK art market, 2000s.
Property of an Essex gentleman.
See Ahlborn, R.E. & Beaver-Bricken Espinola, Russian Copper Icons and Crosses from the Kunz Collection: Castings of Faith, Washington, 1991, nos.51, p.49, 55, p.80.
FootnotesThe 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 (here missing) other parts of the triptych were embossed with scenes of the lives of Christ or Mary.
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Ethiopian Maskal of Kernebege Type Hand Cross with Inscription
17th-18th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £520
A bifacial wooden cross comprising intertwined elements with trefoil finials, resting on a tall stem decorated with wavy lines enclosed within a geometric frame, the stem resting on a tabula with an inscription on the front and vegetal decorative element on the back, rhomboidal termination with inscribed cross on both sides; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 600 grams, 43 cm high (50.7 cm high including stand)
Acquired from Owen Hargreaves, 2003. UK private collection.
The Ethiopian manual cross is usually divided in three parts: the cross at the top; the handle; and a square element, the tablet, at the base. It is not easy to define the origin of the cross-borne tablets. There are three suppositions as to what they signify: according to one, the tablet represents the earth with its four corners. According to the second one, the tablet represents Adam's grave on Calvary. The third one is that it represents the Tabot, the highest relic of Ethiopia, the Ark of the Covenant. The cross belongs to the Kernebege (Horns of Ram) group, where the tips of the cross are reminiscent of ram's horns or trefoils. Inscriptions are only very rarely found on wooden, manual crosses like this maskal. They usually give the name of the owner or donor. -
Ethiopian Triptych Icon with Mary and John the Evangelist
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A wooden triptych with recessed central panel and two folding doors; the central panel with crucifixion scene with robed Mary and John the Evangelist, another apostle and Mary Magdalen, two crucified thieves to the rear and the angels depicted collecting the blood of God in cups; underneath the Crucifixion scene Virgin Mary and the Child escorted by armed Saint Gabriel and Saint Michael, prophets to the sides; the left door with nude Adam and Eve reaching up to the Resurrection of Christ, beneath them three prophets; the right door with two saints (upper panel) and three prophets; left and right bottom panels with Saint George (Bet Giorgis) and military Saint Victor on horseback; Ethiopian Ge'ez script legends. 760 grams, 35.5 x 21.5 cm
Acquired on the London art market, 2003. UK private collection.
The icon shows the Western influence on Ethiopian art. The first element is the orb which the Child holds in his left hand and the second element is the pose of his right hand. The orb appeared in Ethiopian paintings around 1500 A.D. Moreover, his hand shows two fingers outstretched, the index and middle finger, and the two last fingers folded. -
Post Medieval Silver Apostle Peter Statuette
18th century A.D. or earlierSold for (Inc. bp): £104
A silver figure modelled in the round as Apostle Peter standing on a polygonal base, wearing a floor-length robe and clasping the key to the gate of Heaven to his breast, semi-naturalistic facial detailing, beard and hair. 50.13 grams, 65 mm
Fine condition.
Austrian private collection since circa 1995. Ex central London gallery.