Post Medieval Pottery Sherd with Christ

Depicting the Deesis divided in three panels, with Jesus Christ at the centre, Saint Mary on the left panel and Saint John the Baptist on the right; God holding the Gospel in his left hand and raising his right hand in blessing; Mary with veiled head and mantle, wearing a maphorion mantle over an embroidered robe and holding a scroll; Saint John, portrayed as an elderly man, wearing a camel-skin robe, winged and holding a bowl containing an infant with flexed legs and raised right hand, the saint’s right hand pointing toward the infant Jesus, his left hand holding a scroll with the prophecy of Isaiah, while the right hand is raised in blessing gesture; Old Slavic inscription around the figures: 'ΙC ΧΡ' (Jesus Christ); 'ΜΡ ϴΥ'(Mother of God), ‘Saint John the Precursor’ (Иоа́нн Предте́ча); the images framed by a pseudo-vegetal and abstract decorations; the instruments of the Passion and the city of Jerusalem on the cover. 553 grams, 10 cm



Ex David Miller, Hemel Hempstead, London, UK. From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s.

The Deisis or Deesis (Деисус, Gk. for “supplication”) was the depiction of the Virgin, John the Baptist and possibly many more saints interceding with Christ on behalf of mankind.

Painted on a wooden board, at the centre the Holy Empress of Georgia, Tamara the Great, shown on the left, dressed in rich blue, white and red clothing with pearls around her neck and wearing a crown; on the right, Saint Valerian dressed in an emerald green robe and red cloak, holding a crozier, with a highly ornate gilt background. 269 grams, 17.8 x 14.4 cm



Acquired from Derby Antiques Fair, 2003. Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK, formed since 1985. Accompanied by a copy of a Russian export licence.

Discoid in plan with a facing bust with tousled hair. 0.64 grams, 12 mm



Private English collection, formed between the late 1970s and early 1990s. Private collection, London, UK.