Tudor Period Silver-Gilt Hat Pin

Executed in oil and tempera with painted image of nimbate Mary embracing the nimbate infant Jesus; head of Mary with gilded nimbus and russet-coloured veil; the Virgin is shown in half length, wearing a red-gold fringed maphorion with elaborate golden saltires on the shoulders, over a dark blue robe, visible only on the gold embroidered cuffs; the child touching his mother's chin, holding a furled scroll in his left hand and dressed in blue tunic and wrapped in a gold-orange shawl; on upper left of the Virgin’s head Greek inscriptions 'ΜΡ ΘΥ' (Μήτηρ (τοῦ) Θεοῦ = Mother of God) and beside the Divine Child inscription in Greek letters 'ΙϹ ΧϹ' (ΙΗϹΟΥϹ ΧΡΙϹΤΟϹ = Jesus Christ); inside the nimbus of Christ three letters (only two visible) representing the continuous divine self-existence of Christ as God (O ѾN = The Only One who always exists); rectangular wooden board with mounting slots and bar to reverse. 1.78 kg, 45 x 35.5 cm



Acquired on the UK art market. Private collection, London, UK. 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.12928-246333.

This splendid specimen comes most probably from an ancient private aristocratic Russian household. It has a superb quality and consists in a refined representation of the Mother of God known as Eleousa (Umilyenie in Russian), in which the Virgin tenderly embraces the Christ Child. Characterised by an affectionate embrace of Mary and the Christ Child, the image combines the themes of maternal love and the Passion of Christ.

Modelled with outstretched arms and head turned to his right, back straight and feet resting on a block with hole for attachment. 81 grams, 10.8 cm high



Found Speen near Donning Castle, West Berkshire, UK, between Friday 1st January 2010 - Saturday 1st January 2011.

Showing Saint George on horseback, dispatching the dragon with a spear thrust; the Saint dressed in a soft cuirass and seated on a high-ended saddle secured by breast, rump, and belly straps; on the right, the walls of Trebisonda and on the bottom right the princess; Old Slavic inscription on the top, reciting Saint George of Cappadocia (Свято́й Гео́ргий Каппадоки́йский); at the top, the Christ Mandylion inscribed inside a cross. 71 grams, 87 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.

According to the Christian tradition, Saint George would have lived between the end of the 3rd century and the beginning of the 4th century: born into a noble Christian family, he became an officer in the Roman army and was then named a prefect by Diocletian. But when the same emperor decided to resume the persecutions, Saint George became a victim despite his important political rank. His role in the development of the faith is so important that he is included among the Great Martyrs of the Eastern Church and his fight against the dragon becomes a symbol par excellence of the fight for good which defeats evil.