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LOT 2139
Russian Wooden Icon with Christ Pantocrator with Silver Cover
DATED 1889 A.D.
8 7/8 x 7 in. (498 grams, 22.5 x 18 cm).
Showing Christ Pantocrator (Lord of the Universe) making a blessing gesture with the right hand, the left hand holding the gospel, covered with an elaborate silver oklad marked 84, with repoussé and chased decoration, incised Cyrillic inscription on the Gospel, and on the bottom an incised Cyrillic inscription 'Господь Вседержитель'= Lord Almighty.
ProvenanceProperty of a London, UK, gentleman collector.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
Cf. similar icons in Moscow Art Centre, Artistic Treasures of Russia, Catalogue of the Icons (in Russian), Moscow, 2022, icons 67, 79, 94.
FootnotesThis fine Russian religious work depicts Christ Pantocrator, ‘Almighty’ or ‘All Powerful’. It is a compound word formed from the Greek words for ‘all’ and the noun ‘strength’ (kratos). In Orthodox Christianity, his icon is one of the most common religious images. The 'oklad', or protective covering of the icon, was made from silver, often gilt, sometimes with cloisonné enamel decorations, and always decorated with geometric floral patterns. The style of Christ recalls the work of Ivan Semenovich Gubkin, an embosser active in Russia at the beginning of 20th century.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 2139
Russian Wooden Icon with Christ Pantocrator with Silver Cover
Sold for (Inc. bp): £546
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Red Jasper Cameo Pair
20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £20
Comprising: mature facing male mask with tousled hair and full beard; female bust in three-quarter view with crimped hair, disc brooch to right shoulder. 7.29 grams total, 21-22 mm
Private collection, England. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. -
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Silver Merchant's Ring with Monogram
15th-17th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £650
With fluted shoulders and scooped edges to the bezel, pointillé border and Greek monogram of a cross with 'MHNλ' finials. 6.72 grams, 21.82 mm overall, 18.19 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P 1/2 , USA 7 3/4, Europe 16.86, Japan 16)
Acquired 1960s-1990s. From the collection of the late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. -
Russian Icon with Mother of God and Christ
Early 19th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £312
Representing the Hodegetria, with Mary indicating towards Jesus with her right hand, holding him with her left hand; on the right, a small image of Saint Tekla with veiled head and a long tunica talaris, holding a holy book; the cover set with pearls and semi-precious stones; dedicatory inscription plate in Cyrillic; inscriptions in Greek on the wooden background 'ΜΡ ΘΥ' for 'Mother of God', 'IC XC' for 'Jesus Christ'; over the small image of Saint Tekla Greek inscription 'Ο AΓIA TEKLA'; tempera on wood. 650 grams, 23 x 19.5 cm
Property of a London, UK, gentleman collector. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
The icon, probably Greek in origin and later covered with beat work in Russia, shows the Virgin in the attitude of Mother of Consolation, or in that of Hodegetria. This is the iconographical type of Virgin Mary one encounters most frequently in an Eastern Orthodox church or home, Hodegetria meaning 'Mother of God Pointing the Way'. The Virgin Mary is shown with the Christ on her lap, her eyes looking at the viewer and her right hand indicating Christ, seeming to say 'Follow Him'. Later icons of the Hodegetria were adorned with gilt-silver covers and jewels like this one.
