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LOT 0437
Wooden Icon of the Virgin Mary Blessed by Angels
ASIA MINOR, 18TH CENTURY A.D.
8 1/2 x 11 3/8 in. (755 grams, 21.6 x 29 cm).
Painted on a wooden board with raised frame, gessoed surface with painting of Mary adored by four kneeling females around her and three winged angels above; Mary clad in deep red floor-length robe with dark blue mantle; bearded God in upper corner releasing a dove (The Holy Spirit) towards her; Mary's nimbus emphasised with a gilt metal crescent around the head, with repoussé wreath detailing and pellets to the border; pins and suspension link to one edge of the frame.
ProvenanceEx Mehlis Auctions, Berlin, Germany.
From an important collection of icons.
Cf. Geelmuyden Bulgurlu, V., Ulf, A., Lindgren, N., Bodin, H., Balicka-Witakowska, E., Five essays on icons, Stockholm & Istanbul, 2005, fig.E p.86, for a figure of Mary with identical face in the collection of Gunnar Ekelof.
FootnotesThe view of Mary as the Comforter of the Afflicted is one of the oldest in the church. Here the painter combines the theme of the consoling mother with that of her being calling by God as Mother of Life, with the angels in devotion, while desperate human beings crowd at her feet. Here, God is sending his spirit in the form of a dove, to sanction the union between heaven and earth confirmed by Mary, who is the vas Christi.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0437
Wooden Icon of the Virgin Mary Blessed by Angels
Estimate £700 - 900€810 - 1,040 (for guidance only)$950 - 1,220 (for guidance only)
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Russian Wooden Icon with St John the Baptist
19th century A.D.Estimate: £2,500 - 3,500 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,000
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.
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...' -
Post Medieval Gold 'Vertue Gaineth Glory' Posy Ring
18th century A.D.Estimate: £800 - 1,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £400
Plain D-section hoop with legend to the inner face in italic script: ''Vertue gaineth glory' preceded by 'x' and a heart with initials 'IC' over 'S'. 3.43 grams, 20.46 mm overall, 18.19 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P, USA 7 1/2, Europe 16.23, Japan 15)
Found during a rally in Herefordshire, UK, in 1992, and recorded with the museum services on site. From the collection of a Caerphilly, UK, gentleman formed since 1990.
The heart enclosing the three letters suggest that 'I' and 'C' were the initials of the owner's forenames, and 'S' that of their surname. -
Tudor and Later Bronze and Other Artefact Collection
16th-20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
Including coins, buttons, buckle frames, tokens, appliqués and other items. 1.5 kg total, 1.1-12.1 cm
Ex Stocker collection, Kent, UK, 1955-early 2000s.
