LOT 2089

Russian Orthodox Enamelled Bronze Travel Icon with Saint George

19TH CENTURY A.D.

2 1/2 in. (90 grams, 65 mm).

Saint George on horseback, dispatching the dragon with a spear; the saint dressed in lamellar Roman cuirass and seated on a high-ended saddle secured by breast, rump, and belly straps; Old Slavic inscription on the top, reciting Saint George (Свято́й Гео́ргий ).

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.

Cf. Eighme Ahlborn, R., Beaver-Bricken Espinola, V., Russian Copper Icons and crosses from the Kunz Collection: Castings of Faith, Washington, 1991, nos.25819.254, p.76, for similar iconography.

According to the Christian tradition, Saint George would have lived between the end of the 3rd century and the beginning of the 4th century: born into a noble Christian family, he became an officer in the Roman army and was then named a praetorian by Diocletian. But when the same emperor decided to resume the persecutions, Saint George became a victim despite his important political rank. His role in the development of the faith is so important that he is included among the Great Martyrs of the Eastern Church and his fight against the dragon becomes a symbol par excellence of the fight for good which defeats evil.