Post Medieval Gemstone with Herakles

Rectangular board with mounting bar to reverse; central recess with painted scene of Tobias and angel Raphael in a landscape, city wall to rear; the Archangel dressed in a blue long sleeved tunica talaris, and wrapped in a red chlamys, the wings, shoes and the embroidery of the tunic’s cuffs in gold, his left hand raised with his finger pointing up to the sky; Tobias dressed in a short light green chiton with gold embroidery, red trousers and gold boots. 1.7 kg, 36 x 29 cm



Acquired on the UK art market. Private collection, London, UK.

The icon represents the well known biblical episode of Tobias (Book of Tobit), who, assisted by the Archangel Raphael, went to Ecbatana to meet his cousin Sarah. Raphael told the boy Tobias to catch a fish and to remove its organs, which when burnt were able to drive out the Demon Asmodeus.

Representing the Mother of God of Kazan with the Divine Child; the head covering of Mary marked with a six-point star, infant Jesus extending his right hand in blessing; Greek inscriptions 'ΜΡ ΘΥ' (Mother of God) and 'O Ѡ N' (‘I am’); knop at the top for suspension. 53 grams, 63 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.

The original prototype of these small icons, also known as the Theotokos of Kazan, is thought to have originated in Constantinople in the 13th century before it was taken to Russia. When the Turks took over Kazan in 1438, the icon was most probably hidden to keep it safe. Ivan the Terrible liberated Kazan in 1552, and the town was destroyed by fire in 1579, after which the icon was found and brought to the Church of Saint Nicholas. It was subsequently stolen in 1904 and never found again, though there are many copies in existence.

With a slender D-section hoop, raised rectangular bezel set with glass paste in a red-foiled setting. 2.13 grams, 23.86 mm overall, 18.06 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P, USA 7 1/2, Europe 16.23, Japan )15



Private collection, UK.