Russian Icons Results at Doyle New York
Several days ago, Doyle New York held this year’s first Russian Works of Art Sale featuring more than 135 lots of Faberge, Russian icons, bronzes, silver, and other valuable items from some of the most prominent private collections. It’s time to look at the results!
Let’s start with Russian icons we wrote about in our previous article dedicated to this auction sale!
- Triptych Icon of Christ, the Mother of God, and St. John the Baptist – sold for an impressive $27,500, more than doubling its high estimate of $10,000.
- Faberge Silver Icon of St. Nina – sold for $12,500 while being estimated at $7,000 – 10,000.
- Faberge Icon of the Mother of God given as a gift to Prince Nikita Romanoff – sold for $12,500, also exceeding its high estimate of $10,000.
- Faberge Silver Icon of the Guardian Angel with a damaged image – sold for $10,625, doubling its low estimate of $5,000.
Along with the above results, not all Russian icons went under the hammer at Doyle New York. For example, a beautiful icon of Christ Made Without Hands remained unsold, as well as several other hand-painted icons from the 18th – 20th centuries. However, there also were lots that brought truly surprising results, exceeding even the boldest expectations. In particular, this applies to:
- Enamel Icon of Christ Pantocrator, the Mother of God, and St. John the Baptist
This incredibly beautiful small Russian icon depicting Christ Pantocrator in the center, with the images of the Mother of God and St. John the Baptist, is distinguished by its gilt-metal and enamel decoration with geometric motifs of different colors, presented on a chain (see photo above). It was sold for a staggering $25,000 while being estimated at only $2,000 – 3,000, which is undoubtedly an important result for Russian icons of this type.
- Enamel Icon of Christ Pantocrator
It is impossible not to mention one more gilt-metal Russian icon of Christ Pantocrator, also presented on a chain. It is a whole composition made of suspending beaded tassels, crosses, and circular finials, with a small icon of Christ beneath a cupola. Moreover, it is almost entirely decorated with enamel and multicolored geometric motifs, making it especially beautiful. Estimated at $2,000 – 3,000, this unique example of Russian icons was hammered for $20,000, ten times exceeding its low estimate.
The next Doyle New York Russian Works of Art Sale will be held on May 23, 2018. Hopefully, it will show no less impressive results!