CYPRIOT, 17TH CENTURY

细节

ST. MAMAS
CYPRIOT, 17TH CENTURY
Riding a lion, holding a shepherds crook stick and a small sheep in his left arm, his green tunic complimented by a flowing, red, cape fastened on the chest, wearing matching boots, his youthful features framed by short, disheveled hair, the rayed segment of sky on the top standing for the Divine presence, against a hilly landscape, painted with bold colours, with a dedicatory inscription on the lower left corner
16¾ x 11 5/8 in. (42. 5 x 29.5 cm)

注意事项

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

拍品专文

St. Mamas, a Cypriot saint, was a monk living in a cave near the town of Morphou at the West of Cyprus. During the Ottoman occupation of the island, he was arrested by the authorities because he refused to pay tax. As he was led to court by the Ottoman policemen they came across a lion chasing a sheep. Mamas called the lion to stop and come near him. The wild animal did and Mamas rode on the lion's back holding the sheep in his hand, all the way to the court. When the judge witnessed this remarkable sight, he ordered his release and granted him exclusion from taxation. St Mamas gave the sheep as a gift to the judge and since then he has been the patron of the animals. His memory is celebrated on the 2nd of September.