Stone Idol Group

An icon of Saint Nicholas of Mira, tempera on wood panel, the central part of the composition depicting Saint Nicholas with an open book in his left hand showing an excerpt from the Gospel of Luke (VI.17) in which Christ is preparing for the Mount of Beatitudes sermon; Saint Nicholas shown blessing, dressed as a bishop, with a white sticharion, covered by a red omophorion, and surmounted by a white epitrachelion embroidered with black crosses; the saint flanked by Jesus and Virgin Mary, respectively on dark blue and red background; Christ holding the Gospel, Mary the bishop’s epitrachelion; in horizontal registers, left to right, and top to bottom, are depicted scenes of the saint’s life: Nicholas's birth; his baptism; Nicholas healing a woman; beginning his studies as a priest; the saint being appointed deacon; the saint invested in the priesthood; his ordination to Episcopacy; Nicholas appearing in dreams to Patriarch Ablabius and Emperor Constantine to persuade them to free three prisoners (two scenes); Nicholas saving the three prisoners from the death sentence; Nicholas rescuing three generals wrongly imprisoned; the saint chopping down a tree possessed by a demon; the saint calming a storm at sea; Nicholas rescuing the boy Basil from captivity; the Dormition of St Nicholas; the saint saving a boy from drowning in Kiev; Cyrillic inscription on the right and left side of the central image reading Никола́й Чудотво́рец = Saint Nicholas the wonderworker. 17.6 kg, 89 x 110 cm



Ex Stair Galleries, New York, USA. From an important collection of icons. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no. 12341-224608.

Saint Nicholas lived in 4th century A.D. and was the bishop of Myra, in the Roman Asia Minor. Because of the many miracles attributed to his work, his cult was widespread in the Orthodox world and he is known as Nicholas the wonderworker. His reputation as a secret gift-giver (such as putting coins in the shoes of those who left them outside, or the dowry given to three maidens saving them from prostitution) created a model for Santa Claus. The veneration of the saint, who participated in the Council of Nicaea of 325 A.D., began very soon after his death.

Tastefully carved bust of a youthful male with abundant curly hair, broad brow and high cheekbones, mutton-chop whiskers, long sturdy neck; dressed in classical style with a loose mantle covering the broad shoulders and secured at the right shoulder by a knopped fastener. 40.9 kg, 54 cm



Acquired on the North American art market. Ex private collection, England.

Substantial D-section segmented hoop and stepped bezel; ellipsoid plaque with two busts flanking a cross; equal-arm cross below each shoulder, mane in fede clasped hands to the centre and flanking ellipsoid panels with 'OMO' and 'NIA' legend for omonia (Greek, meaning 'agreement, harmony'). 5.93 grams, 25.94 mm overall, 19.41 mm internal diameter (approximate size British S, USA 9, Europe 20, Japan 19)



Private collection, Arundel, West Sussex, UK, 1980s.