Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Russian Icons & Antiques Specialists Since 1975
Established in 1975 by Chris Martin-Zakheim and John Gaze, our gallery has built a reputation as a trusted specialist in Russian fine art and antiques. For over four decades, we operated from a prestigious location in Piccadilly Arcade, London, cultivating relationships with collectors, museums, and private clients worldwide. Our expertise spans rare icons, paintings, and decorative arts, with a particular focus on pieces from the 16th to 19th centuries. We prioritise authenticity and historical significance, offering items that resonate both aesthetically and culturally. Our closure of the physical gallery marked a shift to a more personalised approach, conducting business via email and private appointments.This transition allows us to maintain rigorous curation while serving a global clientele. Our teams deep knowledge of provenance and market trends ensures clients receive expert guidance. We facilitate worldwide shipping through trusted couriers, including UPS, and accommodate client preferences for logistics partners. Our commitment to transparency and client satisfaction has been reinforced through media engagements, including a BBC World Service interview on Soviet-era art. Regular interactions with notable figures, such as comedian Ricky Gervais, underscore our role as accessible yet authoritative custodians of Russian heritage.
Services
Icons
Paintings
Coptic Crosses
Russian Objects
Books
Details
- Year established: 1975
Highlights and features
- We offer over 40 years of expertise in Russian art curation.
- Our collection includes rare 16th-19th century investment-grade icons.
- We provide worldwide shipping via trusted couriers like UPS.
- Our team has advised on high-profile cultural exports and media features.
- We maintain direct client relationships through personalised appointments.
What people say
Pleasure to see you again
Well received as wedding present
Delighted by Coptic crosses
Services
Icons
We specialise in Russian icons from the 16th to 19th centuries, including rare festival icons and pieces with imperial provenance. Our collection caters to collectors seeking historical authenticity and investment potential. Each item undergoes rigorous provenance verification to ensure cultural and artistic integrity.
Coptic Crosses
Our Coptic crosses range from ancient iron pieces to decorative silver designs, reflecting diverse regional styles. These items combine religious significance with artisan craftsmanship, appealing to collectors of early Christian artefacts. We offer both singular pieces and sets for discerning buyers.
Russian Objects
This category includes Faberg-style jewellery, porcelain, and woodwork showcasing Russian artistic traditions. Our objects represent both imperial grandeur and folk art heritage, providing tangible connections to Russias cultural history for institutional and private acquisitions.
Paintings
While our websites painting section is under development, we maintain access to Russian artworks through private collections and auction networks. Our expertise covers both religious and secular compositions, with emphasis on provenance and period accuracy for serious collectors.
Books
Our publications, like Oleg Tarasovs 'Icon and Devotion', provide scholarly context for Russian religious art. These resources cater to academics and collectors seeking deeper understanding of iconography and sacred spaces in imperial Russias cultural landscape.
People
Chris Martin-Zakheim
Co-Founder
Co-founder with over 40 years' experience in Russian art curation. Advised on cultural exports and featured in BBC discussions on Soviet-era art. Maintains relationships with global collectors and institutions.
John Gaze
Co-Founder
Co-founder instrumental in establishing Iconastas Russian Works Of Art' reputation for authentic Russian antiques. Built the gallerys collection through decades of expertise in identifying rare icons and historical artefacts for international clients.
Questions
Do you still sell Lenin statues?
While not a regular offering, we occasionally handle Soviet-era pieces. Chris Martin-Zakheim recently discussed Lenin statue exports on BBC World Service.
Can I specify my preferred courier for shipping?
Yes, we accommodate preferred couriers though we typically use UPS. We’ll provide quotes based on your specified logistics partner.
Are your icons authenticated?
All items undergo rigorous provenance checks. We specialise in verified pieces from the 16th-19th centuries with documented histories where possible.
Do you have Russian paintings available?
Our website’s painting section is under development, but we can source Russian paintings through private networks. Contact us for specific inquiries.
