Western Asiatic Style Stone and Other Seal and Amulet Group

Comprising eight biconical beads, two domed beads, and two amulets shaped as reclining lionesses. 147 grams total, 19-56 mm



From the family collection of a Hampstead gentleman; formerly acquired in the 1980s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

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 Joseph on the foreground dressed in white and brown robes covered by blue and violet cloaks; Simeon holding and blessing baby Jesus before them, wearing a white turban and a long tunica talaris; architectural background showing the Temple of Jerusalem, altar and a menorah, medieval Flemish inscription at the bottom ‘DE OLDE AAN DEN TEMPEL’ (the old man in the Temple) in uncial letters. 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 Gospel of Luke (II,22-39) narrates that Mary and Joseph took baby Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem forty days after his birth, to ‘offer him’ to God. All first-born male children went through this ceremony in compliance with the command of the Exodus. During their visit, they met Simeon, who had been told that he would not die before seeing the Messiah. Simeon praised the Lord with the words that are now known as the Song of Simeon.