Quartz Bead Necklace String

Restrung group of spherical coral-coloured beads with a figural pendant modelled in the half-round. 143 grams, 78 cm



Private collection, UK.

Depicting the Holy Trinity, represented by three winged figures, each with a three-prong staff, sitting on stools around a table with three cups, trees and the outline of a cathedral behind. 67.5 grams, 62 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 subject is based on the traditional Russian interpretation of Genesis,18, in which three figures appear to Abraham at the oak tree of Mamre. The central figure is usually identified as Jesus Christ, while God the Father is on the right and the Holy Spirit on the left. The subject of the icon originated from a very famous 15th century painting by Andrei Rublev.

Depicting the martyrs freezing to death in a lake in Cappadocia, clad only in their undergarments (esophoria); Jesus above, dressed in gold and red, offering the crowns of martyrdom as a sign of reward; a tower to the side of the martyrs; Greek inscriptions: inside the gold nimbus 'O ѾN' (= The Only One who always exists), the inscription above the martyrs reading: 'Οι Άγιοι Τεσσαράκοντα Μάρτυρες = The Saint Holy 40 Martyrs'. 810 grams, 30 x 22.5 cm



Acquired on the European art market. Private collection, London, UK. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13063-249294.

The icon depicts the martyrdom of the 40 soldiers of the Legio XII Fulminata, who died in a frozen lake in Cappadocia in 320 AD. The drama experienced by these courageous men, nourished by their faith in Christ, is evocatively expressed. Their frozen bodies are painted in ochre and olive green, reflecting the stages of their agony. Christ is offering them crowns of glory from heaven as a sign of reward. The cult of the 40 Martyrs spread rapidly, first in Constantinople, where several churches were dedicated to them, then in the Balkans and Russia.