A BYZANTINE OR RUSSIAN DOUBLE-SIDED CARVED AMETHYST ICON PEN...

Estimate

£6,000 - £7,000

A BYZANTINE OR RUSSIAN DOUBLE-SIDED CARVED AMETHYST ICON PENDANT DEPICTING SAINT NICHOLAS AND SAINT PETER. -

This double-sided icon pendant is carved from a single piece of translucent purple amethyst. One face features a relief carving of Saint Nicholas, depicted with a beard and halo while holding a Gospel book. This side bears the vertical Greek inscription Îź ΑΓΙΟC to the left and ΝΙΚΟΛΑΟC to the right, which translates to The Holy Nicholas. The reverse face portrays Saint Peter holding a long cross, flanked by the Greek inscription Îź ΑΓΙΟC and ΠΕΤΡΟC, translating to The Holy Peter. The piece is designed with a vertical suspension hole drilled through the centre, indicating its function as a devotional pendant or an element of a panagia. 

H: Approximately 2.8cm