** A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this artwork will be donated to the Anthony Quinn Foundation, whose mission is to advocate for the important role arts education plays in personal development and in the overall improvement of social, economic and cultural systems. Learn more at aqfoundation.org **

East Europe, Greece, Eastern Orthodox, ca. 18th to 19th century CE. A wonderful ivory icon, skillfully hand-carved to depict St. Demetrios in his traditional iconography; in military dress and riding a horse as he spears the gladiator Lyaeus. The Greek letters alpha, gamma, delta, and eta are inscribed at the top of the image, standing for the Greek abbreviation of St. Demetrius. An espresso-hued wood frame adorns the piece, nicely contrasting the creamy white of the ivory, while a vertical drill hole pierces the top periphery and verso, allowing the lovely piece to be suspended and worn as a pendant. An incised, geometric pattern additionally embellishes the top of the wood frame. Size (ivory inlay): 1.4" W x 2.2" H (3.6 cm x 5.6 cm); (w/ wood frame): 2" W x 3.2" H (5.1 cm x 8.1 cm); 4.3" H (10.9 cm) on included custom stand.

During the Middle Ages, Demetrius became a very popular Orthodox military saint. By the 11th century, he became the patron saint of the Rurik dynasty in Russia. According to the earliest written biographies, Saint Demetrius was born to Christian parents in Thessaloniki, Illyricum in 270. Around 306 CE, when he was a young man from a senatorial family, Demetrius was pierced with spears in Thessaloniki during the persecutions of Diocletian and Galerian. Henceforth regarded as a military martyr, Demetrius became quite popular in the Middle Ages, and just like Saint George, was a patron of the Crusades. Here we see the defeated Lyaeos at Demetrius' feet. While St. George is usually depicted spearing a dragon, Saint Demetrius is oftentimes shown spearing the gladiator Lyaeos, who was deemed responsible for killing numerous Christians.

This is an ESA antique exempt piece of ivory and cannot be sold internationally or to anyone residing in the states of California, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington. We guarantee that the piece is over 100 years old.

Provenance: ex-private collection of actor Anthony Quinn and his wife Katherine, Bristol, Rhode Island, USA acquired prior to 2000

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#169184

Some light scratches and softening of detail. A few nicks to wood. Otherwise, intact and excellent with nice patina. Remains of collection label on verso.