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LOT 1927
Russian Orthodox Enamelled Bronze Travel Icon with Christ Flanked by Mary, Maria, and Saint John
19TH CENTURY A.D.
6 1/2 in. (270 grams, 16.6 cm).
Representing the Saviour on the cross, the titulum inscribed with the letters 'ΙC ΧΡ' (Jesus Christ); Cyrillic inscriptions over the sun (Солнце) and the moon (Луна), flanking Jesus and above the heads of the figures: Mary of Magdala (Мария Магдала), the Mother of God ('ΜΡ ϴΥ'), Saint John the Theologian (Св Иоанн) and Saint Longinus (Св Лонгин); on the background the symbols of the Passion (sponge on reed, spear and a skull set on stones marking the site as Golgotha, twisted cords or wire, skan) and the city of Jerusalem; on the upper part of the cross the Archangels Michael and Gabriel with cloth-covered hands, the Mandylion above them.
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. Eighme Ahlborn, R., Beaver-Bricken Espinola, V., Russian Copper Icons and crosses from the Kunz Collection: Castings of Faith, Washington, 1991, nos.25819.003ff., pp.42ff., for similar iconography.
FootnotesOrthodox travel icons were used by the faithful to carry a sacred representation with them during their journeys, offering protection and a constant spiritual connection. The icon features meticulous craftsmanship with intricate details of the Passion and Death of the Saviour, according to the Byzantine iconography.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 1927
Russian Orthodox Enamelled Bronze Travel Icon with Christ Flanked by Mary, Maria, and Saint John
Estimate £300 - 400€350 - 460 (for guidance only)$410 - 540 (for guidance only)
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Roman Style Gold Ring with Portrait Gemstone
20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £390
Hollow-formed D-section hoop with columnar bezel, inset jasper gemstone engraved with a portrait female bust. 7.06 grams, 30.43 mm overall, 19.60 mm internal diameter (approximate size British T, USA 9 1/2, Europe 21.26, Japan 20)
Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016. -
Imperial German Kriegsmarine Medical Officers Shoulder Board and Another
19th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £20
Group of two shoulder boards, one for a medical officer with applied caduceus badge and interlaced ribbons, the other for an officer (no device attached). 49 grams total, 10.7-11.3 cm
From the private collection of author and historian Dr DeWitt Bailey, one of the global authorities on the confederate army in the US civil war; thence by descent to his grandson. -
Russian Wooden Icon of the Virgin of Kazan with Silver-Gilt Riza
Circa 1890 A.D.Estimate: £6,000 - 8,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £3,000
Head of Mary with gilded nimbus and russet-coloured veil, standing infant Jesus similarly nimbate with right hand raised in blessing gesture; the Virgin, with veiled head and mantle inclined towards Jesus, the head inclined left, wearing a red-gold maphorion mantle with elaborate golden saltires on the shoulders, over a dark blue robe; the infant facing away to left, supported on Mary's right arm, dressed in blue tunic and wrapped in a red orange shawl, right hand extended towards his mother; on right and left of the Virgin’s head Greek inscriptions 'ΜΡ ΘΥ' (Μήτηρ (τοῦ) Θεοῦ = Mother of God) and over the left shoulder of Mary inscription in Cyrillic 'Казанская Богоматерь Б.М.' (Mother of God of Kazan); over the child an inscription in Greek letters 'ΙϹ ΧϹ' (ΙΗϹΟΥϹ ΧΡΙϹΤΟϹ = Jesus Christ); inside the nimbus of Christ three letters (only two visible) representing the continuous divine self-existence of Christ as God (O ѾN = The Only One who always exists); rectangular wooden board with mounting slots to sides; gilt oklad with draped head-covering and garments, filigree ornament to borders, openwork crown with inset red glass jewel and applied calligraphic panels with enamel detailing. 1.79 kg, 31.5 x 27 cm
Acquired on the UK 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.12925-246336.
This specimen most probably comes from a private aristocratic Russian household. It has a superb quality and consists of a refined representation of the Mother with the Child (Mother of the Consolation), of Kazan. The original icon prototype of this one, also known as the Theotokos of Kazan, is thought to have originated in Constantinople in the 13th century before it was taken to Russia. When the Turks took over Kazan in 1438, the icon was most probably hidden to keep it safe. Ivan the Terrible liberated Kazan in 1552, and the town was destroyed by fire in 1579, after which the icon was found and brought to the Church of Saint Nicholas. It was subsequently stolen in 1904 and never found again, though there are many copies in existence.
