Tibetan Glass Necklace Prayer Bead Group

Saint Boris and Saint Gleb depicted on horseback wearing Russian medieval armour, holding a cross standard and a sword, each wearing a conical helmet; on the right upper corner, the hand of God. 260 grams, 10.7 cm



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.

Boris and Gleb were the sons of Vladimir of Kyiv, the first Christian Prince of Rus; they were killed in 1015 and 1019 in the civil struggles for the succession to the throne, and sanctified for their faith. Standards with their image were worn by the medieval Russian army.

Octagonal in plan with carved scene of the Adoration of the Magi with star above; stepped border, pierced for attachment. 30.2 grams, 68 mm



Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s.

The flat relief and the stylistic refinement of the images place the execution of the plaque towards the end of the 17th century, with some artistic parallels with the Romanian silversmiths of Chiprovatzi.

Both with two large arched loops for fingers; one with a triangular, the other with a rectangular striking peen; profile formed as a ship with pointed stern and the bow ending in a volute, engraved wave pattern along the hull; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 190 grams total, 18.5 cm wide including stand



German art market, before 2008. Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate no.S00014409.

These fire strikers represent one of the typical shape during the 17th and 18th centuries. They were shaped with two bows, and were often decorated with a series of ornamental strokes on the side.