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LOT 2295
Russian Orthodox Enamelled Bronze Travel Icon with Saint Nicholas
19TH CENTURY A.D.
4 1/4 in. (348 grams, 10.7 cm).
Representing Saint Nicholas of Myra with a book in his left hand and making the gesture of blessing with his right, dressed as a bishop with sticharion, covered by omophorion, and surmounted by an epitrachelion embroidered with crosses; the saint flanked by Jesus and Virgin Mary, Christ holding the gospel, Mary the bishop’s epitrachelion; Cyrillic inscriptions 'Saint Nikolaos the Wonderworker (СВЯТЫЙ НИКОЛА ЧУДОТВОРЕЦ), Iesus Christos (ΙΣ ΧC) and Mother of God (ΜΡ ΘΥ)' on the enamelled background.
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.25819.156, p.67, for similar iconography.
FootnotesThe icon features meticulous craftsmanship typical of Orthodox iconography. The enamel colors, despite the passage of time, retain their vibrant intensity, highlighting the key elements of the depicted images. The refined details and use of enamel give depth and luminosity to the icon, making it a precious example of the Russian Orthodox tradition.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 2295
Russian Orthodox Enamelled Bronze Travel Icon with Saint Nicholas
Estimate £200 - 300€230 - 350 (for guidance only)$270 - 410 (for guidance only)
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Grand Tour Marble Specimen Panel
Late 19th-early 20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £715
A rectangular plaque with four rows and seven columns of various marble and imperial porphyry specimens, from the Grand Tour. 2.81 kg, 26.5 x 18 cm
Acquired at Shepton Mallet Fair, Somerset, UK, in 2010. From the private collection of a Somerset gentleman. -
Post-Byzantine Gold Archbishop's Pectoral Pendant
16th-17th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £7,020
Round enkolpion with finely worked icons both on the front and back, and eight small side eyelets for lost pearl ropes on the edge; at the top, a double eyelet for the chain; bordered by a delicate beaded edge with a slight knock in one place due to age; embossed depictions on both sides, finely rendered in repoussé; on the obverse a frontal bust portrait of the deceased Saviour, both arms of Christ limply hanging at his sides, the lifeless head resting on his right shoulder, behind him a nimbus and the cross, to the left of the soma (body of Christ) the abbreviation 'IC' (= Jesus), on the right 'XC' (= Christus), above the head a plaque with a Greek two-line inscription: 'O Basilevs tis doxis Christos' (Christ, the King of Glory); the Virgin Mary (Theotokos) depicted on the back, her hands raised in a gesture of prayer (orans) with exquisitely modelled facial features, flanked by an inscription referring to the Mother of God: the abbreviation 'MP' on the left, 'THY' on the right, furthermore, she is invoked as 'He Gorgoepikoo' (She who is quick to hear). 21.3 grams, 44 mm
Acquired by the previous owner on the European art market in the late 1990s. Property of a German university professor. Hermann Historica, Auction 87, 2020 no.19. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13291-254371.
Adorned with an icon of Christ and the Virgin Mary, this outstanding enkolpion symbolises purity of heart and the seal of confession and faith. Since the Byzantine era, golden enkolpia were pontifical insignia and usually worn by bishops. In this case, the size, the artistic craftsmanship, and the topics of the icons, depictions of Christ and the Theotokos, lead to the conclusion that it must have been the enkolpion of a high-ranking primate or archbishop. Extremely rare in this size and quality. Remarkable is also the artist's choice to depict the Mother of God slightly turned to the right and not show her frontally, as is common. -
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Large Natural Pink Sapphire in 24 Carat Gold Mughal Ring
Burma, circa 18th century A.D.Estimate: £12,000 - 17,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £6,000
Comprising a solid round-section ring with a large, rectangular bezel set with a vibrant pink sugarloaf-shaped sapphire. 20.3 grams, 33.21 mm overall, 16.21x17.28 mm internal diameter (approximate size British M 1/2, USA 6 1/4, Europe 13.09, Japan 12)
From the private collection of Lord Ian Balfour, author of 'Famous Diamonds'; received by gift to the present owner circa 2001. Accompanied by a copy of a Gemmological Certification Services lab report invoice no.41731. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13268-251909.
According to the GCS report, there is no indication of heating, and they have estimated the weight of the sapphire to be between 10 and 20 carats. Subsequent CT scanning has confirmed that the weight of the sapphire is 16.3 carats.
