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LOT 1507
Post Medieval Silver Seal Matrix with Griffin
CIRCA 17TH CENTURY A.D.
3/4 in. (3.09 grams, 18 mm).
A silver seal with loop terminal and octagonal matrix, bearing an incuse griffin standing right to the base; accompanied by an impression. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired on the UK antiques market between 1974-1985.
Albert Ward collection, Essex, UK.
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AUCTIONS:
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Greek Virgin and Child Hodegetria Icon
17th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,170
A tempera on wood icon depicting the Mother of God supporting the Child with her left forearm, his right hand raised and making the sign of blessing, left hand holding a scroll; the Virgin wearing a red maphorion with a light green veil and a blue chiton; both figures nimbate, the haloes tooled with foliate designs, gilt background with a red and white arch above. 520 grams, 27.5 x 21.5 cm
The lighter areas of the flesh further highlighted with fine white brushstrokes. The gilding of the background lost, minor losses, minimally restored
Property of a London lady, part of her family's collection.
The layout of the composition clearly indicates the icon's close link with Hodegetria type, the most typical iconography of the Mother of God in Byzantium since the 10th century. However, the type also recalls the iconography of the Virgin Psychosostria, i.e. 'Health of Souls'. -
Medallion Featuring a Roman Soldier Dragging a Barbarian
19th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £111
A copper-alloy medallion: obverse depicting a Roman soldier standing on laurel leaves, dragging a barbarian, 'SVVS[ ] SAL S[ ]' legend around; reverse showing bearded male head in profile left, with detailing to hair and face. 264 grams, 96 mm wide
Acquired 1969-1999. London collection of the late Mr S.M., thence by descent. -
Russian Icon of the Hodegetria of Constantinople
19th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £715
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.
