Smoky Quartz Desk Seal in the form of a Plumed Helmet

Depicting Saint Zosima and Saint Sabbas in front of the Solovetsky Monastery, both nimbate and dressed in the Abbot’s garments, holding the model of the monastery offered to God, represented in the sky as a dove upon a cloud; arabesque frame; inscriptions in Old Slavonic with the names of the saints. 108 grams, 88 mm



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.

Saints Zosima and Sabbas or Sabbatius were highly venerated Orthodox saints, founders of the Solovetsky Monastery, a fortified monastery located in the White Sea in Northern Russia. This double portrait shows Zosima and Sabbas holding up a model of their religious institution, which resembles a small medieval city. Solovetsky Monastery obtained big investments from the city of Novgorod and established itself as one of the richest monasteries in Russia.

The sprung nip on a tall stem wrought with three S-scrolls for holding spare splints, on a tripod base. 1.7 kg, 68.7 cm



Ex Nic McElhatton, former chairman of Christie's South Kensington. Property of a Berkshire, UK, collector. Accompanied by a copy of McElhatton's cataloguing page. Accompanied by copies of the relevant book pages where published.

Barrel-shaped in profile with beaded rims, diagonal bands of beading framing parcel-gilt bands with flower and tendril ornament; legend to inner face in italic capitals 'TENES LA [F]OY' (keep the faith). 2.49 grams, 21.42 mm overall, 18.09 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P, USA 7 1/2, Europe 16.23, Japan 15)



Ex East Sussex private collection, 1970s-1980s.