Russian Orthodox Enamelled Bronze Travel Icon with Saints Boris and Gleb

19TH CENTURY A.D.

4 1/4 in. (260 grams, 10.7 cm).

Saint Boris and Saint Gleb depicted on horseback wearing Russian medieval armour, holding a cross standard and a sword, each wearing a conical helmet; on the right upper corner, the hand of God.

Provenance

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.

Literature

Cf. Iljina, T.W., Arcydzieła Malarstwa Rosyjskiego w Muzeach ZSRR (Masterpieces of Russian Painting in the Museums of the USSR, in Polish), Leningrad, 1989, fig.10, for the prototype of this icon.

Footnotes

Boris and Gleb were the sons of Vladimir of Kyiv, the first Christian Prince of Rus; they were killed in 1015 and 1019 in the civil struggles for the succession to the throne, and sanctified for their faith. Standards with their image were worn by the medieval Russian army.

CONDITION

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LOT 2067