Very Large Medieval and Later Iron Billhook Collection

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.

Representing Saint Nicholas of Mira, 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, all embroidered with crosses; the saint flanked by Jesus and Virgin Mary, Christ holding the Gospel, Mary the bishop’s epitrachelion; Cyrillic inscriptions 'Saint Nikolaos the Wonderworker (СВЯТЫЙ НИКОЛА ЧУДОТВОРЕЦ), Iesus Christos (ΙΣ ΧC) and Mother of God (ΜΡ ΘΥ)' on the enamelled background. 341 grams, 12.1 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. The enamel colors, despite the passage of time, retain their vibrant intensity, highlighting the key elements of the depicted images. The refined details and use of enamel give depth and luminosity to the icon, making it a precious example of the Russian Orthodox tradition.

Rectangular board with mounting bar to reverse; central recess with painted scene of Tobias and angel Raphael in a landscape, city wall to rear; the Archangel dressed in a blue long sleeved tunica talaris, and wrapped in a red chlamys, the wings, shoes and the embroidery of the tunic’s cuffs in gold, his left hand raised with his finger pointing up to the sky; Tobias dressed in a short light green chiton with gold embroidery, red trousers and gold boots. 1.7 kg, 36 x 29 cm



Acquired on the UK art market. Private collection, London, UK.

The icon represents the well known biblical episode of Tobias (Book of Tobit), who, assisted by the Archangel Raphael, went to Ecbatana to meet his cousin Sarah. Raphael told the boy Tobias to catch a fish and to remove its organs, which when burnt were able to drive out the Demon Asmodeus.