Western Asiatic Style Lapis Lazuli and Carnelian Bead Necklace String

With four brass wheels each with a beaded rim; steel frame with hinged bar, stamped '3' to one end. 73 grams, 34 mm



Acquired on the UK art market pre 2000. Property of Nottinghamshire, UK, gentleman.

With blue champlevé enamel, depicting scenes of the life of Prophet Elijah: on the bottom right Elijah rolling up his mantle and dividing the waters of the Jordan, in front of his disciple Elisha; on the bottom left Elijah watched over by the Angel; on the top right Elijah ascending to heaven on a Chariot of Fire, assisted by the hand of God; on the left Elijah, covered by his mantle, fed by ravens; frame with blue enamel over gilded pseudo-vegetal decorations. 585 grams, 14.3 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 represents the Ascension of the prophet Elijah and other scenes from his life. Elijah is ascending to heaven in a fiery chariot drawn by horses, leaving his mantle to the disciple Elisha, symbolising the transmission of his prophetic mission. Among the great figures of the Bible, the prophet Elijah was one of the most venerated figures in history in Orthodoxy.

In the form of a prayer arch with densely engraved foliate design, at the centre a facing lion holding a curved sword in its raised paw, rising sun behind and inscription below. 72.48 grams, 86 mm



Private collection, UK.