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A Greek carved boxwood, coral beaded, 'jewelled' and applied filigree and coloured enamel gilt and white metal 'Mount Athos' cross, together with a similar period carved boxwood, seed pearl, coral beaded and 'jewelled' gilt and white metal filigree 'Mount Athos' cross the first with later knopped pedestal stand, the second with matching double knopped filigree pedestal stand (2) image 1
A Greek carved boxwood, coral beaded, 'jewelled' and applied filigree and coloured enamel gilt and white metal 'Mount Athos' cross, together with a similar period carved boxwood, seed pearl, coral beaded and 'jewelled' gilt and white metal filigree 'Mount Athos' cross the first with later knopped pedestal stand, the second with matching double knopped filigree pedestal stand (2) image 2
Lot 56*,Y

A Greek carved boxwood, coral beaded, 'jewelled' and applied filigree and coloured enamel gilt and white metal 'Mount Athos' cross, together with a similar period carved boxwood, seed pearl, coral beaded and 'jewelled' gilt and white metal filigree 'Mount Athos' cross
the first with later knopped pedestal stand, the second with matching double knopped filigree pedestal stand

5 July 2024, 14:00 BST
London, New Bond Street

Sold for £5,760 inc. premium

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A Greek carved boxwood, coral beaded, 'jewelled' and applied filigree and coloured enamel gilt and white metal 'Mount Athos' cross, together with a similar period carved boxwood, seed pearl, coral beaded and 'jewelled' gilt and white metal filigree 'Mount Athos' cross

the first with later knopped pedestal stand, the second with matching double knopped filigree pedestal stand
both crosses of double sided form each inset with finely carved boxwood plaques depicting narrative scenes from the life of Christ and the Virgin flanked by further plaques depicting the heads of angels and the Apostles (some losses), the first cross surmounted to the shoulders with large twin towers with cross finials, the later plain stand on flowerhead circular base, the second of smaller size with more elaborate scrolling decoration to the outer edges of the cross, the upper middle section with twin bird and ball finial, the shoulders with small twin open tower finials, the first cross, 21cm high, 12cm wide, 7cm deep (2)

Footnotes

Provenance
The collection of Sir Michael and Lady Oppenheimer DD (3rd Baronet, British, 1924-2020), Jersey, thence by family descent.

Sir Michael Oppenheimer's maternal grandparents were Sir Robert Grenville Harvey, 2nd Baronet (1856-1931) and Lady Emily Blanche Harvey (1872-1935) of Langley Park, Buckinghamshire which was the Harvey Baronet's main family seat from 1788 until 1945.

Sir Michael's paternal family wealth was derived from mining interests in South Africa and his father Bernard Oppenheimer, as Chairman of the South African Diamond Corporation, received a baronetcy from George V in 1921 for setting up diamond sorting factories to employ wounded ex-servicemen after the First World War. The Oppenheimer family was involved with the prestigious De Beers brand over the subsequent decades of the 20th century and Lady Oppenheimer DD (1926-2022) was a distinguished moral and philosophical theologian, with a particular interest in the ethics pertaining to personal relationships.

These carved crosses were both likely made in one of the many monasteries around Mount Athos in Northern Greece and are decorated with finely carved panels depicting episodes from the Old and New Testaments. Used in the daily life and rituals of the Orthodox Church, the crosses were designed for use in the benediction of the congregation during the liturgy.

Additional information

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