Western Asiatic Style Stone Idol Group

Depicting Christ Pantocrator and Saint John on his side, hand of Mary visible on the left; the Lord of the Universe represented seated upon a cushioned throne, the right hand in blessing gesture, the left hand holding a Gospel decorated with precious stones; wearing a blue chlamys and red sticharion; Saint John in proskynesis in front of Christ, dressed in a brown vestis talaris; the head of both surrounded by a red halo; later wire for hanging to the reverse with an information sheet in German. 1.8 kg, 57 cm



Ex Hargesheimen Auction House, Dusseldorf, Germany. Property of a London, UK, gentleman collector. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

The icon represents a middle section from a Deesis of a church iconostasis. Although preserved as a fragment, it is designed in the high style of the late 16th century.

In late 15th century style, showing triumphant Jesus on the foreground, holding a flag and dressed in a brocade cloak, stigmata showing on his hands and feet; two guards on his side looking stunned, one wearing a full plate armour with a sallet and the other a leather corselet with a bascinet, third guard at the bottom of the panel looking terrified; an angel dressed in white robe, extending his arms towards Jesus; the opened tomb on the background and medieval Flemish inscription at the bottom reading 'DE VERISENIS VAN CHRISTUS’ (the Resurrection of Christ) 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 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 scene represents the Resurrection of Christ according to the Gospel of Matthew (28,2-4), as revealed by the presence of an angel moving away the stone, and of the soldiers. According to the Christian tradition, the bodily resurrection was the restoration to life of a body transformed and nourished by the spirit, as described by Paul and the Evangelists, which led to the affirmation of Christianity. In Christian theology, the Resurrection of Jesus is ‘the fundamental mystery of faith’, as recalled by Easter, together with the remaining Christological mystery (Incarnation, Passion and Death), and together with the Logia and the works of the ministry of Jesus. For Christians, the resurrection of Jesus is a guarantee that all the dead Christians will come back to life at the time of the parousia (second coming) of Christ.

Comprising: a Chinese style reclining lion figure carved from amethyst; lapis lazuli plaque depicting a seated falcon; a lion fitting pierced through the head and neck in white stone; a stylised snail pendant in dark stone; a resin figure of a mouse resting on a corn cob. 511 grams total, 6.4-10.9 cm



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.