Western Asiatic Style Silver Inlaid Bronze Bifacial Calligraphic Pendant

Comprising a painted board with mounting panel and slots to the reverse, gessoed surface with painting of St John the Baptist standing nimbate with wings spread behind him, left hand supporting a bowl containing his severed head and holding an unfurled scroll with Cyrillic text 'Repent ye, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand,' (Matthew 3:2); right hand raised in blessing; landscape with sand-dunes and trees; gilded title above; the upper border with gilt Slavonic inscription reading 'Holy John the Forerunner'; from the Palekh Icon School, probably made in Mstera circa 1890. 1.02 kg, 31 cm high

Fine condition.

Ex property of a London lady, part of her family's collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate no.11546-196366. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

The Palekh icon school emerged in the 17th century, inspired by the Moscow and Suzdal traditions of icon painting. Although preserving many features of traditional Russian iconography, the school created its own style that remained active into the 18th century. The hallmarks of the school include the frequent use of gold on the clothes of the saints and a rich palette. Bodies are shown as tall and slender and abrupt transitions between light and shadow are distinctive features of Palekh icons. The wings of Saint John derive from the double meaning of the Greek word used to describe him in Mark 1:2 - Angelos, meaning both messenger and angel. John is often called a 'Heavenly Man' and 'Earthly Angel' in Orthodoxy. At his feet is shown a small tree with an axe cutting into it, illustrating Luke 3:9, 'And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the tree...'

In late 15th century style, showing Mary and Elizabeth embracing on the foreground, both with covered heads and wearing a long tunica talaris with a cloak; their husbands Zacharias and Joseph behind dressed in long green robes, Joseph wearing a yellow cap and holding a pastoral staff; architectural background and inscription in medieval Flemish at the bottom 'BEZOEK VAN DE MAAGD MARIA AAN ELISABETH’ (the Visit of Virgin Mary to Elizabeth) in uncial letters; some restoration. 4.5 kg, 65 x 53.5 cm

Some restoration.

From a war-damaged church in Belgium. Ex property of a late Northumberland collector. From a private collection, Derbyshire, UK. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

The scene commemorates Mary's visit to her cousin Elizabeth after receiving the announcement that she would become the mother of Jesus (Luke, I, 39-45). In this guise, Mary is called Our Lady of the Visitation or Mary Most Holy of the Visitation.

An unfinished painting of a dancer in vividly coloured costume, signed in pencil to the lower left hand corner 'Bakst 1912'; stamped to the reverse ' Alber, Maurin Carrof, 87 Rue Michelet, Alger'. 73 grams total, 45.7 x 38 cm



Private collection of a London gentleman, acquired between 1965-2020. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.