Loading, please wait...
LOT 2097
Russian Wooden Icon with St John the Baptist
19TH CENTURY A.D.
12 1/4 in. (1.02 kg, 31 cm high).
Comprising a painted board with mounting panel and slots to the reverse, gessoed surface with painting of St John the Baptist standing nimbate with wings spread behind him, left hand supporting a bowl containing his severed head and holding an unfurled scroll with Cyrillic text 'Repent ye, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand,' (Matthew 3:2); right hand raised in blessing; landscape with sand-dunes and trees; gilded title above; the upper border with gilt Slavonic inscription reading 'Holy John the Forerunner'; from the Palekh Icon School, probably made in Mstera circa 1890.
ProvenanceEx property of a London lady, part of her family's collection.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate no.11546-196366.
See Zinoviev, N., Art of Palekh, Leningrad, 1968.
FootnotesThe Palekh icon school emerged in the 17th century, inspired by the Moscow and Suzdal traditions of icon painting. Although preserving many features of traditional Russian iconography, the school created its own style that remained active into the 18th century. The hallmarks of the school include the frequent use of gold on the clothes of the saints and a rich palette. Bodies are shown as tall and slender and abrupt transitions between light and shadow are distinctive features of Palekh icons. The wings of Saint John derive from the double meaning of the Greek word used to describe him in Mark 1:2 - Angelos, meaning both messenger and angel. John is often called a 'Heavenly Man' and 'Earthly Angel' in Orthodoxy. At his feet is shown a small tree with an axe cutting into it, illustrating Luke 3:9, 'And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the tree...'
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:
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 2097
Russian Wooden Icon with St John the Baptist
Estimate £1,500 - 2,000€1,740 - 2,320 (for guidance only)$2,030 - 2,700 (for guidance only)
-
Silver and Amber Cross Pendant
20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Equal-armed pendant with pellets to the central saltire and inset teardrop amber cabochons; hinged bale. 4.5 grams, 33 mm
From the private coin collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the mid 1980s. -
Dogon Iron Multiple Oil Lamp Stand
Circa 19th century A.D.Estimate: £400 - 600 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £200
Iron flat-section shaft with three tiered cross-bars, the two lowest each with five iron lamp-bowls to the forward face; above, a U-shaped bar with a lamp bowl at each upper end; top of the shaft developing to an anthropomorphic torso with ellipsoid head and two narrow arms raised vertically; chain around the neck with hand-forged extinguishing spoon; mounted on a square base; Dogon, Mali, workmanship. 6.25 kg total, 132 cm including stand
From the private collection of Dr Hans-Joachim Koloss, Berlin, Germany, 1975-2002. Gorny & Mosch, Munich, Germany, auction 279, no.410. Accompanied by a copy of the Gorny & Mosch invoice and illustrated catalogue listing. Accompanied by a copy of the German cultural export licence.
The figure is probably a Nommo, a primordial ancestral spirit in Dogon cosmogony. A Nommo is usually considered to be amphibious, hermaphroditic and fish-like. They are typically depicted in Dogon art with a humanoid upper torso, and a fish-like lower torso and tail. -
Indus Valley Style 'Mohenjo-Daro' Terracotta Idol Group
20th century A.D. or earlierSold for (Inc. bp): £20
A mixed group of four terracotta female idols comprising: one supine, nude with applied hair and facial features; one similar, legs bent; one with radiating spike to the headdress seated on a stool; one T-shaped, supine with rosettes to the headdress. 327 grams total, 6-16cm
Fine condition.
Property of a London gentleman; acquired before 2000. From the private collection of John Meredith, acquired since the 1990s; thence by descent.
