World Treasures: Important Russian, Asian, European & American Works
November 19th & 20th, 2013
auction closed
Day One - Lots 1-490G
Day Two - Lots 491-936


 
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LOT 352
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Lot 352
A LARGE RUSSIAN ICON OF THE OLD TESTAMENT PROPHET HABAKKUK, CIRCA 1700. The upper border inscribed in Old Church Slavonic "The Holy Prophet Habukkuk". Most likely from the prophet’s tier of an Iconostasis. 33.25 inches x 17 inches (84.5 x 43.2 cm).
Estimate:  $800 - 1,200  
Price Realized: $937.50


While the Old Church Slavonic inscription on the upper border of this icon clearly reads, The Holy Prophet Habbakuk, it would seem the iconographer of the offered lot has incorrectly ascribed (painted) the wrong symbol for the prophet Avvakum/Habbakuk, rather instead he has painted the symbol for the prophet Zachariah, called the “Sickle-Seer” based on the Septuagint version of Zachariah 5:1-3. "1 And I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked and behold a flying sickle. 2 And he said to me, What seest thou? And I said, I see a flying sickle, of the length of twenty cubits, and of the breadth of ten cubits. 3 And he said to me, This is the curse that goes forth over the face of the whole earth: for every thief shall be punished with death on this side, and every false swearer shall be punished on that side."


Considering the fact that many iconographers were themselves illiterate, these types of mistakes are not uncommon.


All items are sold “AS IS” and there will be no returns based on condition. The items sold are often of considerable age and will exhibit wear, usage and damage often not listed in the catalog entry. The absence of condition remarks in the catalog entry DOES NOT mean the item is in perfect condition. Prospective buyers are in ALL CASES responsible for determining the physical condition of lots. No employee or agent of Jackson's International Auctioneers and Appraisers is authorized to make on our behalf or on that of the consignor any representation or warranty, oral or written, with respect to any property. Therefore, if a prospective bidder has not examined the property to their satisfaction before the sale, or his/her agent has not inspected the property, Jackson's recommends that they not bid on the property. All dimensions are approximate. The condition of frames is not guaranteed.