Russian Wooden Orthodox Icon of Mother of God Kazanskaya

In late 15th century style, showing Christ on the foreground rising to heaven, surrounded by Mary and the eleven apostles, Jesus dressed in a white tunica talaris and a red cloak; natural background, medieval Flemish inscription at the bottom ‘DE HEMELVAART VAN CHRISTUS’ (the Ascension of Christ) in uncial letters; some restoration. 4.5 kg, 65 x 53.5 cm

Some restoration.

From a war-damaged church in Belgium. Ex property of a late Northumberland collector. From a private collection, Derbyshire, UK. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

The scene represents the Ascension of Christ, described in Luke 24,1 and Acts 1,1-9. The Ascension is the last episode of Jesus' earthly presence according to the two narratives. It describes his definitive ascension to heaven, from which he will return only at the end of time (Parousia).

Sheet bronze buckle plate with lateral integral hook; stamped design including a circular band enclosing a maritime scene with two sailing ships; band with legend 'Laying the Atlantic Cable'; collector's handwritten ticket. 7.15 grams, 56 mm



Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a Berkshire, UK, gentleman collector. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Laying a telegraphic cable beneath the Atlantic Ocean was among the 19th century's most remarkable technological achievements since it allowed messages to pass between North America and Europe in a matter of minutes, rather than the two weeks by steamship. A first attempt in 1858 was unsuccessful but two working cables were finally laid in July and September 1866 by a team of engineers, technicians and sailors, with two groups of financial backers involved and relying on help from the British and United States navies. HMS Agamemnon was deployed on this mission alongside USS Niagara. The occasion caused a great stir at the time and was commemorated in numerous works of art.

Composed of spherical mosaic glass beads interspersed with small light blue beads, two pairs of biconical blue beads at the ends; restrung with loop-and-bead closure; likely Indonesian. 139 grams, 59 cm



From the family collection of a Hampstead gentleman; formerly acquired in the 1980s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.