Tibetan Glass Prayer Bead Necklace with Jade Buddha Pendant

Representing Saint Antipas with a Gospel in his left hand and making the gesture of blessing with his right, dressed as a bishop, with sticharion, covered by omophorion, and surmounted by an epitrachelion; the Mandylion at the centre above the saint, Saint Mary on the left panel and Jesus on the right; Old Slavic inscription around the figures: 'ΙC ΧΡ' (Jesus Christ); 'ΜΡ ϴΥ'(Mother of God); Saint Antipas of Pergamum (Св Анти́па Перга́мский). 238 grams, 11.3 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.

The icon features meticulous craftsmanship typical of Orthodox iconography. Saint Antipas was popularly held to be a healer of tooth problems. He was martyred by burning in a brazen bull-shaped altar under the Emperors Nero or Domitian.

Comprising a flat-section hoop and openwork bezel formed as two hands encircling a heart with a crown above; inner face showing traces of the original coin. 4.88 grams, 21.64 mm overall, 18.44 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P 1/2, USA 7 3/4, Europe 16.86, Japan 16)



From the collection of a late Gloucestershire, UK, collector.

Comprising spherical, fusiform and other beads with a carved openwork zoomorphic centrepiece. 155 grams, 65 cm



Private collection, UK.