A large triptych centered with circa 1850 icons of the Old Testament Trinity flanked by icons of St. Nicholas and the Archangel Michael, the central icon with cast and chased parcel-gilt oklad revetment cover with painted enamel identificatory plaques, struck with Cyrillic initials AF for Alexey Frolov, Moscow, 1850. The triptych is set within an ogee-shaped glazed wood frame with brass fittings.

Marks: Struck at the lower center of the oklad with maker’s marks, Moscow hallmarks, and with 84 silver standard (.875).

Spectacular large silver crystal-fronted reliquary decorated with intricate filigree wire floral ornamentation and housing significant historically important first-class ex ossibus (of the bone) relic of Saint John Chrysostom.  Substantial relic is affixed to the background of multicolored silk surrounded by paperole ornamentation and identified on a paper cedula label as S. Iohanes Criso[stomus]. On the back, over a protective pane of glass, the theca is secured with a perfectly preserved seal of red Spanish wax bearing an imprint with a coat of arms of an unidentified Catholic Bishop.

18th-century angel-form reliquary made of painted and gilded wood with front glass panel housing significant first-class ex ossibus (of the bone) relics of two Unmercenary healers: Saints Cosmas and Damian. The relics are affixed to a red silk background and identified on paper cedulae labels in as S. Cosmae Mart. / S Damiani Mart. (Saint Cosmas Martyr / Saint Damian Martyr). On the back, the reliquary is protected by a crisscrossed silk ribbon held in place by four seals of red Spanish wax with clear imprints of a coat of arms of an unidentified Catholic Bishop. The reliquary has damage on the left side where the arm is partially missing. 

ca. 1600 life-size bust-form reliquary made of painted wood housing very large historically important first-class ex ossibus (of the bone) relic of Saint John the Warrior. The relic is affixed inside of an oval glass-fronted opening and identified on paper cedula label in as S. Ioanis M. (Saint John, Martyr). The saint's name is also inscribed on the base of the bust. The saint is depicted wearing the unique helmet that was made for Guidobaldo II, Duke of Urbino, indicating that the reliquary most likely came from the church in Fossombrone, Italy built around 1609 by Francesco Maria II della Rovere, the last Duke of Urbino and son of Guidobaldo II.

Spectacular large silver crystal-fronted reliquary decorated with opulent floral ornamentation and housing significant first-class ex ossibus (of the bone) relic of Saint Christopher.  Substantial relic is affixed to the background of red silk decorated with paperole ornamentation and identified on a paper cedula label as S. Christopha/ri M. (St. Christopher, Martyr). On the back, the theca is secured with a perfectly preserved seal of red Spanish wax bearing a faint imprint with a coat of arms of an unidentified Catholic Bishop.

Spectacular large silver crystal-fronted reliquary decorated with intricate filigree wire floral ornamentation and housing significant first-class ex ossibus (of the bone) relic of Saint Bartholomew, the Apostle.  Substantial relic is affixed to the background of red silk and identified on a paper cedula label as Ex Ossibus + St. Bartholoni Ap. (from the bone of St. Bartholomew, [the] Apostle). On the back, over a protective pane of glass, the theca is secured with a perfectly preserved seal of red Spanish wax bearing an imprint with a coat of arms of Monsignor Placido Zurla, O.S.B. Cam., († 1834), Cardinal Vicar of Rome.

The depiction is based on the image of the miracleworking icon Axion Estin ("It Is Truly Meet") Mother of God in the main church of Karyes on Holy Mount Athos considered the protector of the Holy Mountain and its holiest object. Crowned Theotokos is flanked by full-figured descriptions of St. Panteleimon, the Holy Patron of Russian St. Panteleimon Monastery on Mount Athos and St. Eudokia of Heliopolis. On the back, the icon has a stamp of blessing from the Russian St. Panteleimon Monastery on Holy Mount Athos and a handwritten inscription with a dedication from hieromonk Flegont to his Goddaughter Eudoka, dated 1910.  

Provenance: Sotheby's New York 1993

ca. 1600 life-size bust-form reliquary made of painted wood housing very large historically important first-class ex ossibus (of the bone) relic of Saint Gelasius of Fossombrone. The relic is affixed inside of an oval glass-fronted opening and identified on paper cedula label in as S.Gelasi a. 4 Febrarii (Saint Gelasius venerated February 4). The saint's name is also inscribed on the base of the bust. The reliquary most likely came from the church in Fossombrone, Italy built around 1609 by Francesco Maria II della Rovere, the last Duke of Urbino.

Icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker of Myra from the Deisis Row of an iconostasis. Circle of Dionysius, Moscow or Rostov, ca. 1500.

Condition: Consistent with age. Extensive craquelure, old restorations, and inpainting are all visible. Areas around the face and nimbus show early signs of lifting.

Icon of the Mother of God from the Deesis Row of an iconostasis, Rostov, early 16th century.