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LOT 2060
Russian Bronze Travel Icon with the Three Hierachs of Orthodoxy
19TH CENTURY A.D.
4 1/2 in. (270 grams, 11.5 cm).
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.
ProvenanceAcquired 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.
Cf. Melnik, L. Yu., Enamel Icons in the State Catalog: Iconography of Saints in Rostov Museum Communications (in Russian), in Issue XXIV, Rostov, 2019, fig. 51, pp.178-277, for a similar icon.
FootnotesThe 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.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 2060
Russian Bronze Travel Icon with the Three Hierachs of Orthodoxy
Estimate £100 - 140€120 - 160 (for guidance only)$140 - 190 (for guidance only)
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Published Iron Alpine Candle Holder
France or Switzerland, 19th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £338
With spring arm to secure the candle, with raised tray feature. 687 grams, 36.5 cm
From a private collection. Ex Nic McElhatton, former chairman of Christie's South Kensington. Property of a Berkshire, UK, collector. Accompanied by copies of the relevant book pages where published. -
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Post Medieval Banded Agate Cameo of a Woman in Gold Ring
18th century A.D.Estimate: £700 - 900 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £375
Hollow-formed with pie-dish bezel and inset cameo. 3.17 grams, 21.26 mm overall, 17.72 mm internal diameter (approximate size British L, USA 5 3/4, Europe 11.24, Japan 10)
Private collection, Europe. Acquired on the English art market.
The cameo is Italian and carved in the classical style of the 2nd century AD, although it dates to the 18th century. Her hair is tied back, and she is wearing a double-banded diadem. The agate displays a deep umber hue, with the bust depicted in light bluish white with highlights of light caramel. In the late 18th century, interest in the classical world became exponentially high, and demand became great for objects from or relating to the ancient world. The high-carat gold ring dates to the late 18th century; there is a small dent to the shoulder of the band. -
Medieval Silver Pendant with Mother-of-Pearl Scene of Virgin and Child
Germany, 15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,210
Tear-shaped frame with loop and irregular dangle below; carved nacre relief of the Virgin and Child; Mother of God shown crowned and in profile, tenderly supporting the Christ Child on her lap; applied gold Corpus Christi to reverse. 20.5 grams, 70 mm
Private collection, Europe. Acquired on the German art market. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13056-248332.
The carving, with its luminous iridescence and softly modelled planes, captures both the sacred intimacy of the subject and the shimmering qualities of the material. The mount is worked in silver with chased foliate detail and suspends a natural baroque pearl drop. The reverse is finely engraved with radiating rays, clouds, and the inscription INRI, centred by a parcel-gilt figure of the Crucified Christ affixed to the ground. This juxtaposition of the Virgin and Child with the Passion underscores the dual themes of Incarnation and Redemption, reflecting late medieval devotional practices.
