Victorian Silver Bosun's Whistle

Each carved into the wedjat amulet and pierced longitudinally. 28.9 grams total, 20-30 mm



with Archaeologia, Switzerland, before 1983. Ex private North American collection. London private collection, 2016.

Finely wrought oval mirror case featuring a vivid polychrome enamel scene on a black ground, enclosed within a gilt-copper frame; the front adorned with a depiction of Mercury, identifiable by his winged helmet and caduceus, standing beneath a classical arch flanked by stylised columns and vases of flowers; above the entablature, a canopy held aloft by two snails, while twin pouring ewers crown the upper corners, issuing stylised streams; the architectural and ornamental elements highlighted with translucent and opaque enamel, highlighted with gilding and intricate punchwork; the frame with a guilloche border, surmounted by a pierced rocaille loop with a scallop motif, and terminating below in a turned pendant finial; the sides of the frame engraved with a delicate foliate frieze, the reverse flat-chased with three vases of stylised flowers issuing from scrolled supports, framed above by draped swags, butterflies, and a winged cherubic mask; the case hinges open at the top, the interior, originally fitted with mirrored glass, now partially oxidised but retaining areas of reflection. 168 grams, 14.4 cm



Private collection, France. Private collection, UK. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12998-246011.

The enamel composition is directly derived from a print by Étienne Delaune (1518/19-1583), from his series Grotesques à Fond Noir, Dieux et Déesses, created in France c.1550–1572 prior to his departure for Strasbourg. Delaune’s engravings were a principal source for Limoges enamellers of the late 16th and early 17th centuries, particularly in the production of oval mirror plaques for personal toilette or cabinet display.

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.