Tudor Period Silver-Gilt Mount with Facetted Garnet

With polychrome enamel in green, blue and yellow, framed by a square border with pointed doom, representing Saint Julyttas and her son Cyricus, surrounded by Saints; on the top, Christ Pantokrator, nimbate, making the gesture of blessing and holding a Gospel, seated upon a cloud and surrounded by Cyrillic letters 'ΙC ΧΡ' (Jesus Christ); Cyrillic inscriptions above some of the saints. 325 grams, 13.5 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.

Made of bronze with brightly coloured enamels, this icon was intended for private devotion, often carried by pilgrims and Orthodox believers for spiritual protection. St. Julyttas and her son Cyricus (Ки́рик и Иули́тта), among the most venerated figures in Russian tradition, are depicted in the centre, surrounded by other saints, a symbol of the communion of the righteous.

Comprising interlinking flat loops with pierced spacers decorated with Renaissance motifs, winged telamon and ‘jewels’; sturdy hook-and-eye closure. 110 grams, 49 cm



Private collection, Europe. Acquired on the English art market. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13154-248389.

Such chains were known as a 'Sivlonot' in German Jewish tradition dating from the 16th century, in a custom whereby silver or gold chains were sent as a gift by the bridegroom to his future bride. They were worn under the bridal canopy and throughout the following week, then often brought out again for holidays and ceremonial occasions.

Ellipsoid integral plaque with low-relief motif of two opposed skulls between crossed long-bones. 5.28 grams, 21.1 mm overall, 18.07 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O, USA 7, Europe 14.98, Japan 14)



From an old English collection, 1980s.