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LOT 1984
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 colours, 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 1984
Russian Orthodox Enamelled Bronze Travel Icon with Saint Nicholas
Estimate £150 - 200€170 - 230 (for guidance only)$200 - 270 (for guidance only)
Opening Bid
£70 (EUR 81; USD 95) +BP*
-
Bedouin Silver-Coloured Metal Ring with Gemstone
20th century A.D.Estimate: £50 - 70 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
Hoop expanding at the shoulders with linear motifs, set with a glass cabochon. 9.36 grams, 31.70 mm overall, 21.07 mm internal diameter (approximate size British W 1/2, USA 11 1/4, Europe 25.66, Japan 24)
London, UK, collection, 1980s-1990s. -
Post Medieval Silver Thimble Group
Circa 18th-19th century A.D.Estimate: £80 - 100 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
Comprising three thimbles: the largest with a plain band stamped with 'G' and engraved with initials '*D*I*'; the second largest with a decorative band on the lower edge with a plain shield; the smallest with a decorative band to the lower edge resembling pinecones, and a plain shield. 11.15 grams total, 16-26 mm
Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a Lancashire, UK, collector. -
Large Marble Relief with Three Figures
18th-19th century A.D.Estimate: £5,000 - 7,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £2,500
Rectangular slab with raised border and high-relief scene; three standing females wearing floor-length draped and tiered robes, holding hands; the left figure with right hand extended slightly, holding out the folds of her robe, head turned back towards the middle figure whose hand she holds; middle figure facing with diadem in her neatly dressed hair, holding the extended hand of the third figure holding the hem of her robe and angled stiffly away from the others. 145 kg total including stand, 106.5 cm wide
Private collection, UK. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13391-259010.
A group of three young females is often interpreted as the Three Graces. However, in classical art, these three figures usually stand close together and are nude or sparsely clothed - unlike the females in this carving. Groups of three goddesses - such as Persephone, Demeter and Hekate - may denote the phases of the moon or, more broadly, the three phases of a female life as maiden / mother/ elder. The scene bears some resemblance to the 1st century AD relief of 'Three dancing nymphs' in Santa Barbara Museum of Art, California; however, that has a more exuberant and lively air contrasted with the rigid formality of the piece.
