12th C. Kievan Rus Gilt Silver Relief - Doubting Thomas

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Fine Antiquities, Asian, Ethno, Fine Art

By Artemis Fine Arts

May 1, 2025

Set Reminder 2025-05-01 10:00:00 2025-05-01 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Fine Antiquities, Asian, Ethno, Fine Art https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/fine-antiquities-asian-ethno-fine-art-19334
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• Lot Description
  Northern / Eastern Europe, Kievan Rus, Medieval period, ca. 12th to 13th century CE. A marvelous silver plaque from Kievan Rus, its surface aglow with a delicate gold wash, bringing to life "The Incredulity of Saint Thomas" in remarkable relief. At its heart, we witness Christ, haloed and standing, revealing his wounded side with one hand while raising the other in blessing, as Thomas, equally haloed, approaches in a bow, his finger extended towards the divine flesh. The scene pulsates with an almost palpable intimacy as the doubting apostle, his form bent low in disbelief, reaches out to touch the very wounds of the resurrected Christ. This posture of hesitant inquiry is starkly juxtaposed against Christ's majestic bearing, a subtle yet powerful artistic commentary on the nature of faith versus empirical proof. The figures, richly draped in decorative robes, nearly fill the frame, above which a roughly inscribed Greek text. Size: 1" W x 1.4" H (2.5 cm x 3.6 cm); silver quality: 96%; weight: 8.2 grams
  
  Crafted as a petite, rectangular icon with a pronounced raised edge - perhaps intended for personal adornment - this piece likely served as an object of private devotion.
  
  Originating within the Eastern Roman Empire, the depiction powerfully underscores the value placed on empirical evidence in matters of faith. Given the Byzantine Empire's strong centralized authority from 330 CE, where emperors significantly shaped artistic output to bolster imperial ideology, and the Orthodox Church's pivotal role in society, the plaque's imagery takes on deeper meaning. Within this highly structured religious context, the figure of Thomas could symbolize the challenges and doubts inherent in faith, suggesting that such didactic representations served to reinforce the necessity of belief within the Church's framework.
  
  Compare to an example in the National Museum Warsaw, inventory number IK 512 MNW.
  
  Provenance: private London, UK collection
  
  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.
  
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  #193830

  Condition

  Some minor rubbing in areas, but otherwise, intact and excellent with good remaining gilding and impressive detail.
• Shipping Info

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