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LOT 1979
Russian Orthodox Enamelled Bronze Travel Icon with Saint John the Baptist
19TH CENTURY A.D.
4 5/8 in. (190 grams, 11.8 cm).
With blue champlevé enamel, depicting Saint John the Baptist, portrayed as an elderly man, wearing a camel-skin robe; his left hand holding a scroll with the prophecy of Isaiah, while the right hand is raised in blessing gesture; at the top, Old Slavic Inscription ‘Saint John the Precursor’ (Иоа́нн Предте́ча); pseudo-vegetal background with abstract decorations.
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.25819.083, p.50, for similar iconography.
FootnotesJohn the Baptist is called ‘the Precursor’ because his evangelical mission was to prepare the way for Jesus Christ, announcing his imminent arrival and calling people to repentance and welcome the Messiah. His role as a ‘forerunner prophet’ makes him the link between the Old and New Testaments, as he prophesied the coming of Christ and baptised him in the Jordan River. He was considered the highest among the prophets in the hierarchy of saints of the Orthodox Church.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 1979
Russian Orthodox Enamelled Bronze Travel Icon with Saint John the Baptist
Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
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Dogon Iron Multiple Oil Lamp Stand
Circa 19th century A.D.Estimate: £400 - 600 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £200
Iron flat-section shaft with three tiered cross-bars, the two lowest each with five iron lamp-bowls to the forward face; above, a U-shaped bar with a lamp bowl at each upper end; top of the shaft developing to an anthropomorphic torso with ellipsoid head and two narrow arms raised vertically; chain around the neck with hand-forged extinguishing spoon; mounted on a square base; Dogon, Mali, workmanship. 6.25 kg total, 132 cm including stand
From the private collection of Dr Hans-Joachim Koloss, Berlin, Germany, 1975-2002. Gorny & Mosch, Munich, Germany, auction 279, no.410. Accompanied by a copy of the Gorny & Mosch invoice and illustrated catalogue listing. Accompanied by a copy of the German cultural export licence.
The figure is probably a Nommo, a primordial ancestral spirit in Dogon cosmogony. A Nommo is usually considered to be amphibious, hermaphroditic and fish-like. They are typically depicted in Dogon art with a humanoid upper torso, and a fish-like lower torso and tail. -
Western Asiatic Style Bronze Oil Lamp Group
20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £13
Each hollow-formed and piriform in plan with high-relief mask, foliage and other detailing. 908 grams total, 11.5-22.5 cm
Acquired on the UK art market. Private collection, London, UK. -
Medieval and Later Iron Billhook Collection
14th-18th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £46
Each with a hooked mounting spike, broad curved blade sharpened on the inner edge. 260 grams total, 17-22 cm
From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman.
