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

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LOT 1961