Roman Style Oil Lamp

A tempera on wood Anastasis icon with a large central panel surrounded by twelve smaller scenes representing the twelve feasts of the Orthodox church; the central image depicting Christ‘s descent into Hell and Resurrection, the smaller scenes depicting, clockwise from top left: the birth of the Virgin Mary; the presentation of the Virgin Mary to the temple; the Annunciation; the Nativity; the presentation of Christ to the temple; the Epifania (Baptism); the entrance to Jerusalem; the Metamorphosis (Transfiguration); the Exaltation of the Holy Cross; the Ascension; the Holy Trinity (the Pentecost); and the Dormition of the Virgin; inscriptions to the outer border; some restoration. 3.1 kg, 44.5 x 37 cm



Property of a London lady, part of her family's collection.

The Greek term Dodekaorton (Δωδεκαόρθον) designates the twelve most important holidays of the Orthodox Christian liturgical year. They are divided into fixed date holidays and variable date holidays (calculated in relation to Easter). A second division is between the feasts dedicated to Mary and those dedicated to Christ. Each holiday is represented by an image (icon) encoded according to the interpretation of the Holy Scriptures. On the day of the celebration, the corresponding icon is placed on a lectern in the center of the church.

A silver finger ring with teardrop bezel, pointillé border, 'IHS' inscription with cross supported by the 'H'. 7.32 grams, 21.57 mm overall, 18.94 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q 1/2, USA 8 1/4, Europe 18.12, Japan 17)



Acquired in the late 1990s-2000. Property of an East London gentleman.

A gold signet ring composed of a D-section hoop and facetted oval bezel, engraved with crest depicting a forearm and hand oriented right, holding a floral spray composed of three five-petalled flowers and four leaves, set within a beaded octagonal border. 9.78 grams, 24.40 mm overall, 20.51 mm internal diameter (approximate size British V, USA 10 1/2, Europe 23.77, Japan 22)



Acquired in the 1980s. Property of a London gentleman. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11663-197588.

Signet rings were jewellery items serving practical functions, and were pressed into hot wax to seal letters and packets. Personal seals or secreta acted as a legal safeguard, since they were used to witness wills, loans, commercial, personal and other documents. Such rings were often engraved with a coat of arms, initials, merchant's mark or some other personal symbol. Painted portraits of this period portray the wearer with the signet ring on the thumb or forefinger, allowing for practical use.