Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art has dated this piece to the 1700s.
Greek Orthodox c1690-1710.
The saints are George and Demetrius, their names painted above them.
When the two saintly warriors are together and mounted upon horses, they may resemble earthly manifestations of the archangels Michael and Gabriel. Eastern traditions distinguish the two as Saint George rides a white horse and St. Demetrius a red horse. Saint George can also be identified by his spearing a dragon, whereas Saint Demetrius may be spearing a human figure, representing Emperor Maximian, or sometimes the figure is said to be the gladiator Lyaeos, who according to the story was responsible for killing many Christians.
Saint George was, according to legend, a Roman soldier of Greek origin and officer in the Guard of Roman Emperor Diocletian, who was sentenced to death for failing to recant his Christian faith. As a Christian martyr, he later became one of the most venerated saints in Christianity and in particular the Crusades.
He is depicted as a Roman soldier and always shown on a white horse,
Saint Demetrios of Thessaloniki is a Christian martyr of the early 4th century AD.
During the Middle Ages, he came to be revered as one of the most important Orthodox military saints, often paired with Saint George. His feast day is 26 October for Eastern Orthodox Christians following the Gregorian calendar and 8 November for those following the Julian calendar. In the Roman Catholic church he is most commonly called "Demetrios of Sermium" and his memorial falls on 8 October.
SIZE: 13.25 x 11 x 1 inch.
PROVENANCE: From the Dr. Venetia Newall Collection of Icons. The late Dr. Newall was a Research Fellow at University College, London and was President of the Folklore Society. She frequently travelled to Eastern Europe where she developed a love of Orthodox Church icons. Over 40 years she wrote an annual monograph on some aspect of the art.
Verso: an old label of the Maria Andipa Icon Gallery, London S3.
Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art has dated this piece to the 1700s.
Roy and nadine precious: specialists in portraiture from the 16th to the 20th century. Established in 1972.
You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art Profile Page
Portrait of Saints George and Demetrius, Greek Orthodox Icon C.1700.
