Post Medieval Georgian Pillar Capital Pair

A carved wooden panel depicting a dynamic figural scene composed of mounted horse rider together with a rider mounted on a mythical creature with two heads, the body and hindlegs of a horse and head and forelegs of a lion or other creature, two standing figures beside them; egg-and-dart style frame with leaves to each corner. 4 kg, 54.5 x 38.5 cm



English private collection.

The timber shows some old insect flight holes and we are advised that this piece has been recently treated with Permethrin, as a precaution.

A bronze bifacial disc pendant comprising: obverse: tonsured and nimbate head and upper body with hands raised in prayer towards a Corpus Christi, legend 'CAR. BOV'; reverse: nimbate head and upper body of a robed and bearded cleric with cross moline, legend '·S·IO·GVALB ·INS·OR·VA·VNBRO·'; pierced suspension lug. 2.31 grams, 26 mm high



Found Rodings, Essex, UK. Acquired on the UK antiques market between 1974-1985. Albert Ward collection, Essex, UK.

An icon of Hodegetria with the Virgin wearing a red maphorion embroidered with gold, a dark veil and a dark chiton with double gold embroidery on the cuffs; holding the Child on her left arm and gesturing towards him with the right hand; the Child wearing a yellow brown, gold-woven chiton, holding a scroll in his left hand, while the right one is making the gesture of blessing; the angels Michael and Gabriel to the left and right of the Virgin; on each side of the head of the Virgin inscriptions 'ΜΡ' and 'ΘΥ' (Μήτηρ (τοῦ) Θεοῦ = Mother of God), inscription in Greek letters 'IC XC' (IHCOYC XPICTOC = Jesus Christ) above the child, three letters inside the nimbus of Christ representing the continuous divine self-existence of Christ as God ('O ѾN' = The Only One who always exists); the names of the angles inscribed next to each figure (Aghios Michail and Aghios Gavriil). 869 grams, 29.8 x 24 cm



Property of a London lady, part of her family's collection.

The painting is a copy of the famous replica of the Hodegetria of Constantinople, a Byzantine icon of 14th century, repainted by the icon painter Dionisi in 1482, and today preserved in State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow. The original icon was destroyed by the Turks at the capture of Constantinople in 1453. The replica was venerated as an 'original' real Hodegetria in the Ascension Convent in Kremlin, Moscow. The icon led the liturgical processions on June 23, August 26, May 21 and October 22 in which the Patriarchs and the Russian Tsars took part.