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LOT 1988
Reproduction Silver-Gilt Byzantine Icon of Christ's Baptism
20TH CENTURY A.D.
10 1/4 x 7 7/8 in. (110 grams, 26 x 20 cm).
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). [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx David Miller, Hemel Hempstead, London, UK.
From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s.
Cf. Matthieson, S., Morrison, G., Heavenly Beings, Icons of the Christian Orthodox World, Auckland, 2022, p.240, for a similar icon.
FootnotesThe 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.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 1988
Reproduction Silver-Gilt Byzantine Icon of Christ's Baptism
Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
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Indus Valley Style Fertility Idol
20th century A.D. or earlierSold for (Inc. bp): £20
With flat discoid base, arms bent with hands on hips, body decorated with incised necklace; face with prominent pinched nose, applied discoid eyes. 53 grams, 96 mm
Fine condition.
Ex Swiss collection; acquired 1980s. From the private collection of John Meredith, acquired since the 1990s; thence by descent. -
Russian Orthodox Enamelled Bronze Travel Icon with Saint Julitta, Cyricus and Deesis
19th century A.D.Estimate: £300 - 400 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £150
With blue enamel and framed by a raised border; Saint Julitta and her son, Cyricus, Saint Gregory the Theologian and Saint John the Chrysostom standing beside them at the centre; three half-length figures above: St. Paraskeva (right), Eudokia, and Barbara (left); OCS inscriptions identifying the saints framing the scene; on the top a deesis, with Christ Pantokrator at the centre, flanked by Saint Mary and Saint John the Precursor; at the top left corner Archangel Michael, on the top right corner the Archangel Gabriel; beneath Saint Gabriel, in vertical order, Saint Paul, Saint Gregory the Theologian, Saint Nicholas of Myra, Saint Demetrios; beneath Saint Michael, in vertical order, Saint Peter, Saint Basil the Great, Saint John Chrysostomos and Saint George; in the last row, nearby Saint Andrew, at the centre, the Archangel Raphael, with sword and cross. 360 grams, 14 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.
This icon was intended for private devotion, often carried by pilgrims and Orthodox believers for spiritual protection. St. Julyttas and her son Cyricus (Ки́рик и Иули́тта), among the most venerated figures in Russian tradition, are depicted in the centre, surrounded by other saints, a symbol of the communion of the righteous in front of the Divine Deesis. -
Bronze Seal Matrix of Vezelay with Christ and Mary
18th-19th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
A reproduction of a Medieval seal discoid in plan with flange handle to reverse; central incuse design of facing Christ in loincloth, nimbate and holding a processional cross with legend 'MARIA', beside a tree with kneeling nimbate Mary, her hands extended and legend 'RABONI' above; scallop motifs in the field, outer band of egg-and-dart moulding; legend to inner band ' ·:· SIGILLVM ·:· CAPPITULI ·:· VEZELIASSENSIS' (chief seal of Vézelay [in Burgundy, France]). 54.2 grams, 61 mm
Private collection, UK.
The reference is to the incident in John v.20 where Jesus said to his mother, “Mary” and she turned toward him and cried out “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).
