Post Medieval Silver Ring with Symbols

Depicting Saint Basil the Great, Saint Gregory the Theologian and Saint John Chrysostomus, all nimbate and holding their holy writings, under the vision of the Holy Mandylion; Saint Basil wearing a bishop's sakkos, the other two wearing the usual orthodox priest's garb, phelonia; all three wearing a brocade band, omophorion, with four crosses; inscriptions in Old Slavonic with the names of the Saints, on the Nimbus of Jesus, the letters 'O Ѡ N' (‘I AM’); names of the Saints in the background in Old Slavonic; framed by double moulding, the first decorated with crenellated elements, the second with arabesques. 270 grams, 11.5 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.

The icon is the so-called icon of the three hierarchs, Saint Gregory the Theologian (Gregory of Nazianzus), Saint Basil the Great (Basil of Caesarea) and Saint John Chrysostom, archbishop of Constantinople. All three were important fathers of the church who strove to clarify and crystallise Dogma, for the unity of the faith, of the Liturgy and the needs of philosophy and letters.

Depicting the Saviour on the cross, the titulum inscribed in Cyrillic ‘Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews’; long inscriptions in Old Church Slavonic and traditional elements of the ‘Stavrosis’ surrounding the cross: sponge on reed, spear and a skull set on stones marking the site as Golgotha, twisted cords or wire, and the walls of Jerusalem; on the upper part of the cross, angels with cloth-covered hands and over them a frontal view of the torso of God with his arms raised above clouds; inscribed prayers in Old Church Slavonic and file marks on the back of the casting. 65.4 grams, 11.1 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.

Orthodox travel icons were used by the faithful to carry a sacred representation with them during their journeys, offering protection and a constant spiritual connection. The icon features meticulous craftsmanship with intricate details of the Passion and Death of the Saviour, according to the Byzantine iconography.

Representing the Epiphany (the Manifestation) of Jesus Christ; Jesus standing in the river, wearing a small loincloth made from a knotted tallit, recognisable by its striped edge; the rocky landscape of the Jordan valley temporarily breaking open and river becoming a vast whirlpool; from the left bank John reaching towards Jesus and blessing his cousin; four angels look on holding towels; above, the dove of the Holy Spirit with three rays of light; above the inscription Η ΒΑΠΤHCΙC (the Baptism). 110 grams, 26 x 20 cm

925 silver

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

The Gospel of Mark describes the voice of God announcing: ‘Thou art my beloved Son, with thee I am well pleased’ (Mark 1: 11). This is the theoretical moment after which Jesus becomes known as Christ and John becomes known as the Baptist.