Vintage Child's Skis

The body decorated with foliate scrolls; articulate attachment loop to reverse; stamped 'GU' in a rectangular cartouche to underside of mouthpiece; coral stick and bells absent. 18.1 grams, 51 mm



Private U.K. family collection formed in the early 1970s. The property of Mr and Mrs P.R. of East Sussex. Thence by descent to family members.

Traditionally accompanied by a teether of red or white coral, such teethers were both practical aids and examples of sympathetic' magic, symbolising blood or bone.

Complete with leather fitting straps and hazel wood skiing poles with bamboo rings; metal bindings to skis marked 'MESTA PIONIER'; in ash or hickory. 1.7 kg total, 96-98 cm



Acquired from Manfred Schotten Antiques, UK. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by a copy of the previous listing.

The wooden background with an openwork oklad: the Virgin holding the infant Christ, gesturing towards him with her left hand, wearing an embellished floral embroidery, elaborate cuffs to the himation; Christ, seated upon the right arm of Mary, embracing his mother tenderly, his chiton embellished with a sash with geometric patterns; both figures nimbate with elaborate halos, inscription 'ΜΡ ΘΥ' for 'Mother of God' flanking the Virgin's halo, 'IC XC' for 'Jesus Christ' on the other side; winged nimbate ‘Angel of God’ and nimbate Saint Ekaterina in rectangular panels on either side; the reverse with a seal of ‘Εργαστήριο Βυζαντινών Εικόνων, Θεσσαλονίκη’ (Workshop for Byzantine Icons, Thessaloniki).On the bottom of the icon the Greek word A.E, ΘEC – IC, probably for A[RGYRON] E[RGASTERION] THES[SALONIKI]. i.e. laboratory of silver Thessaloniki. 723 grams, 22 x 16.5 cm



Acquired in Germany. Property of RWM Collection.

The icon shows the Virgin in the attitude of Mother of Consolation, or in that of Hodegetria. This is the iconographical type of Virgin Mary one encounters most frequently in an Eastern Orthodox Church or home, Hodegetria meaning 'Mother of God Pointing the Way'. The Virgin Mary is shown with the Christ on her lap, looking at the viewer and her right hand indicating Christ, seeming to say 'Follow Him'.