Loading, please wait...

Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge

Details

LOT 1961

Russian Orthodox Enamelled Bronze Travel Icon with the Old Testament Trinity

19TH CENTURY A.D.

2 3/8 in. (67.5 grams, 62 mm).

Depicting the Holy Trinity, represented by three winged figures, each with a three-prong staff, sitting on stools around a table with three cups, trees and the outline of a cathedral behind.

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. Eighme Ahlborn, R., Beaver-Bricken Espinola, V., Russian Copper Icons and crosses from the Kunz Collection: Castings of Faith, Washington, 1991, nos.25819.225, p.72, for similar iconography.

Footnotes

The subject is based on the traditional Russian interpretation of Genesis,18, in which three figures appear to Abraham at the oak tree of Mamre. The central figure is usually identified as Jesus Christ, while God the Father is on the right and the Holy Spirit on the left. The subject of the icon originated from a very famous 15th century painting by Andrei Rublev.

CONDITION

VETTING:

TimeLine 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:

TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.

LOT 1961

Russian Orthodox Enamelled Bronze Travel Icon with the Old Testament Trinity

Sold for (Inc. bp): £117

Print page

RELATED LOTS

  • Large Armenian Glazed Ceramic Storage Vessel with Religious Scenes
    Large Armenian Glazed Ceramic Storage Vessel with Religious Scenes
    Late 20th-21st century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £98

    Bulbous in profile with raised rim, three iterations of a scene depicting a central nimbate Jesus with right hand raised flanked by two nimabate winged angels with a sword held aloft, twelve disciples blow and nimbate Mary beneath; lustrous finish with text between the panels. 2.18 kg, 23.2 cm



    Private collection, UK.

    Lot Details

  • Inlaid Iron Padlock with Key
    Inlaid Iron Padlock with Key
    20th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £33

    Barrel-shaped with arched lock mechanism and inlaid floral design in white metal, key with screw closure, openwork handle. 253 grams, 11 cm wide



    Acquired on the UK art market in the early 2000s.

    Lot Details

  • Large Post Medieval Merchant’s Seal Ring Engraved with BG and Shield
    Large Post Medieval Merchant’s Seal Ring Engraved with 'BG' and Shield
    Germany, 16th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £12,350

    Engraved with the owner's initials ‘B G’ above a tilting shield with flanche; merchant's mark motif of capital 'A' and a cross. 20.03 grams, 28.33 mm overall, 23.00 x 18.47 mm internal diameter (approximate size British T 1/2, USA 9 3/4, Europe 21.89, Japan 21)



    Private collection, Europe. Acquired on the English art market. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.13051-248349.

    Merchants' marks were chosen by their owners as a form of personal cypher, and so it is almost impossible to decipher the owner of many merchants' marks, as they were not governed by the strict regulation and recording that heraldry laws dictated. Merchants' rings were engraved with geometric symbols used to mark their goods or personal belongings and used instead of a coat of arms for those not entitled to them. Most merchants in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries had marks, easily identifiable and formed with a few strokes. Many such rings also bear religious or talismanic inscriptions or imagery, combining a spiritual with a commercial function. The shape of the shield on this example draws direct parallels to the heraldic shields and jewels of this period in Germany.

    Lot Details

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list