Greek, Mount Athos, 18th century
Greek, Mount Athos, 18th century
Sanctification Cross with scenes from the Life of Christ and the Virgin
cedarwood, mounted in gilt silver set with pearls, coral, and glass pastes, in a gilt leather case
the cross inscribed: PI [Rho Iota] on the underside
cross: 21.9cm., 8⅝in.
case: 23.8 by 11.3 cm, 9⅜ by 4½in.
Please note that this lot contains restricted materials. Sotheby's is not able to assist buyers with the shipment of any lots containing restricted materials into the U.S.A. Buyer's inability to export or import these lots cannot justify a delay in payment or a sale's cancellation.
Catalogue Note:
Whereas most wooden crosses from Mount Athos were set in filigree mounts, the present example has been fitted with a solid silver stand of extraordinary architectural refinement. The silver has been carefully but confidently smithed in a succession of complex forms and delicate patterns without ever overpowering the cross inside.
The base, the footprint of which follows a shape typical of early Baroque architecture, is stepped and interspersed first with a frieze with three-dimensional cherubs and foliate decoration that has been carefully worked open to form an ajourée relief and secondly with an engraved floral border. The stem of the cross is balanced atop the dragon’s head which is so often a feature of orthodox liturgical works of art, including episcopal staffs and katzis. From the serpent’s open mouth streams fine scrollwork, which supports a set of four stylised palm leaves. Immediately under the cross is a stepped baluster with twisted wire edges and minute foliate engravings on its concave shaft. Each of the cross terminals is an architectural dome such as those found on orthodox church buildings and their replicas. Each rests on four columns with acacia-leaf capitals and house a smiling cherub. From silver petals atop the domes springs a pistil of precious coral beads and seed pearls, each fixed into place by a twisted gilt silver wire. Each scene on the wooden cross is framed by pair of twisting columns which supports an arch. From top to bottom the arches are made up of miniature Rococo scrollwork, whilst from left to right there is a double arch: the lower lined with a string of exceedingly small pearls and the upper with engraved lines and a scallop shape on top. Each architectural compartment is punctuated by seed pearls in the corners. Adorning the edges of the cross are four foliate volutes at the base crowned by two emerald glass pastes. Eight more smiling cherubs with a single leaf above their heads sit atop scrollwork in the corners of the cross arms. Behind these cherubs further ensembles of coral beads and seed pearls were placed. The wooden cross that is on display in this wondrous work of silversmithing is itself especially fine.
Each side has six scenes from the lives of the Virgin and Christ, carefully carved into circular or oval registers with much openwork and depth. Represented from top to bottom and from left to right are the Annunciation, the Presentation in the Temple, the Baptism of Christ, Presentation of the Virgin, Nativity of the Virgin, and the Koimesis on one side and the Crucifixion, Raising of Lazarus, Lamentation, the Incredulity of Thomas, Entry into Jerusalem, and Anastasis on the other.
RELATED LITERATURE
A. Karakatsanis (ed.), Treasures of Mount Athos, exh. cat. Thessaloniki, 1997, pp. 344-351, nos. 9.41-9.47
Provenance:
Collection Henri Philippe Pierre Marie d'Orléans, Comte de Paris, and Micaela d’Orléans (née Cousiño y Quiñones de León), Comtesse de Paris, Paris, France, until 2022;
Thence by descent, until 2023;
Millon, Souvenir de la Princesse Micaela d'Orléans S.A.R. la Comtesse de Paris, Paris, 15 September 2023, lot 107.
Greek, Mount Athos, 18th century
Sanctification Cross with scenes from the Life of Christ and the Virgin
cedarwood, mounted in gilt silver set with pearls, coral, and glass pastes, in a gilt leather case
the cross inscribed: PI [Rho Iota] on the underside
cross: 21.9cm., 8⅝in.
case: 23.8 by 11.3 cm, 9⅜ by 4½in.
Please note that this lot contains restricted materials. Sotheby's is not able to assist buyers with the shipment of any lots containing restricted materials into the U.S.A. Buyer's inability to export or import these lots cannot justify a delay in payment or a sale's cancellation.
Catalogue Note:
Whereas most wooden crosses from Mount Athos were set in filigree mounts, the present example has been fitted with a solid silver stand of extraordinary architectural refinement. The silver has been carefully but confidently smithed in a succession of complex forms and delicate patterns without ever overpowering the cross inside.
The base, the footprint of which follows a shape typical of early Baroque architecture, is stepped and interspersed first with a frieze with three-dimensional cherubs and foliate decoration that has been carefully worked open to form an ajourée relief and secondly with an engraved floral border. The stem of the cross is balanced atop the dragon’s head which is so often a feature of orthodox liturgical works of art, including episcopal staffs and katzis. From the serpent’s open mouth streams fine scrollwork, which supports a set of four stylised palm leaves. Immediately under the cross is a stepped baluster with twisted wire edges and minute foliate engravings on its concave shaft. Each of the cross terminals is an architectural dome such as those found on orthodox church buildings and their replicas. Each rests on four columns with acacia-leaf capitals and house a smiling cherub. From silver petals atop the domes springs a pistil of precious coral beads and seed pearls, each fixed into place by a twisted gilt silver wire. Each scene on the wooden cross is framed by pair of twisting columns which supports an arch. From top to bottom the arches are made up of miniature Rococo scrollwork, whilst from left to right there is a double arch: the lower lined with a string of exceedingly small pearls and the upper with engraved lines and a scallop shape on top. Each architectural compartment is punctuated by seed pearls in the corners. Adorning the edges of the cross are four foliate volutes at the base crowned by two emerald glass pastes. Eight more smiling cherubs with a single leaf above their heads sit atop scrollwork in the corners of the cross arms. Behind these cherubs further ensembles of coral beads and seed pearls were placed. The wooden cross that is on display in this wondrous work of silversmithing is itself especially fine.
Each side has six scenes from the lives of the Virgin and Christ, carefully carved into circular or oval registers with much openwork and depth. Represented from top to bottom and from left to right are the Annunciation, the Presentation in the Temple, the Baptism of Christ, Presentation of the Virgin, Nativity of the Virgin, and the Koimesis on one side and the Crucifixion, Raising of Lazarus, Lamentation, the Incredulity of Thomas, Entry into Jerusalem, and Anastasis on the other.
RELATED LITERATURE
A. Karakatsanis (ed.), Treasures of Mount Athos, exh. cat. Thessaloniki, 1997, pp. 344-351, nos. 9.41-9.47
Provenance:
Collection Henri Philippe Pierre Marie d'Orléans, Comte de Paris, and Micaela d’Orléans (née Cousiño y Quiñones de León), Comtesse de Paris, Paris, France, until 2022;
Thence by descent, until 2023;
Millon, Souvenir de la Princesse Micaela d'Orléans S.A.R. la Comtesse de Paris, Paris, 15 September 2023, lot 107.
