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LOT 2139
Russian Orthodox Enamelled Bronze Travel Icon with Saints Zosima and Sabbas
CIRCA 1820 A.D.
3 1/2 in. (108 grams, 88 mm).
Depicting Saint Zosima and Saint Sabbas in front of the Solovetsky Monastery, both nimbate and dressed in the Abbot’s garments, holding the model of the monastery offered to God, represented in the sky as a dove upon a cloud; arabesque frame; inscriptions in Old Slavonic with the names of the saints.
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. Matthieson, S., Morrison, G., Heavenly Beings, Icons of the Christian Orthodox World, Auckland, 2022, p.66, for a similar icon.
FootnotesSaints Zosima and Sabbas or Sabbatius were highly venerated Orthodox saints, founders of the Solovetsky Monastery, a fortified monastery located in the White Sea in Northern Russia. This double portrait shows Zosima and Sabbas holding up a model of their religious institution, which resembles a small medieval city. Solovetsky Monastery obtained big investments from the city of Novgorod and established itself as one of the richest monasteries in Russia.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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LOT 2139
Russian Orthodox Enamelled Bronze Travel Icon with Saints Zosima and Sabbas
Estimate £100 - 140€120 - 160 (for guidance only)$140 - 190 (for guidance only)
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Tibetan Iron Ceremonial Buddhist Artefact Group
20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Including a key with slotted bit and ribbed shank, vajra with bow to each end and other types. 520 grams total, 7.6-16.2 cm
Private collection, UK. -
Eastern European Saint Nicholas Bronze Icon
Circa 19th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £26
Rectangular panel with raised rim and low-relief image of Saint Nicholas holding a book, right hand raised in blessing gesture; flanked with saints. 63 grams, 62 mm
Ex Constable collection, 1990s. Ex P. Morris collection. -
Marble Fountain Sculpture of a Putto Wrestling a Fish
Baroque, 17th century A.D.Estimate: £5,000 - 7,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,500
Standing on an angular base resting his left knee on the open jaws of a fish, his left arm holding the jaws open, the body and tail held upright be the raised right hand (partly absent); with heavy sulphured patina. 20.75 kg, 48 cm
Acquired prior to 1970. From the estate of a Swiss gentleman, Ticino. Private collection, Zurich, Switzerland. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12790-240308.
In ancient Roman art and architecture, fountains were often decorated with sculptures of young boys or putti holding fish. These sculptures were known as 'putti with fish' or 'boy with fish' and were a popular motif in the decoration of fountains. The young boy or putto was shown holding a fish or a shell, which would spout water into the fountain basin below. The fish was a particularly popular motif because it symbolised abundance, fertility, and prosperity, which were all important values in ancient Roman society. Overall, the putti with fish sculptures are a notable example of the art and architecture of ancient Rome and have continued to be an enduring symbol of beauty, abundance, and prosperity throughout the centuries. Archaeological excavations in Pompeii have revealed many examples of sculptures of putti with fish. The putti with fish sculptures from Pompeii were usually made of bronze, marble, or terracotta. They were often placed in the centre of the fountain, surrounded by other decorative elements such as flowers, plants, and other sculptures. Many of these putti with fish sculptures are now on display in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples. The museum also houses a famous mosaic of a putto with a fish, which was discovered in the House of the Faun in Pompeii. The putti with fish sculptures from Pompeii and those in the Naples Museum provide valuable insights into the art and culture of ancient Rome. They demonstrate the importance of beauty and abundance in ancient Roman society and offer a glimpse into the everyday life of the people who lived in Pompeii over two thousand years ago. In the 17th and 18th centuries these sculptures were imitated and used to decorate the fountains of royal palaces and palaces.
