Russian IconsNovember 2012

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1.THE STORY OF CHRIST’S NATIVITYRussian, Circa 1700A detailed, visual narrative of Christ’s Nativity and its subsequent happenings; the rocky cave on the upper part of the composition includes the oversized, reclining figure of the Mother of God, the swaddled Christ lying in a coffin-like manger next to her, attended by three angels in adoration; to the opposite side, two servants bath the newborn baby; further to the left, the Three Magi on horses follow the guiding star carried by an angel in the skies; then, as if they travelled behind the hill, portrayed again to the right; a second angel approaches a group of sleeping shepherds in order to deliver the good news; in the center another shepherd converses with St. Joseph; the middle register defined by two constructions, the first one housing the Adoration of the Magi, the second representing the walls of the city and the Flight of the Holy Family to Egypt; the lower left corner shows King Herod enthroned instructing a Roman soldier, the Massacre of the Innocents is depicted in the foreground, above to the right, St. Elizabeth and her son John hide in a cave beyond the cliff; the complex image finely rendered in the traditional manner on gold ground, the structure of the image defined by the hills and the buildings35.5 x 29 cm

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2.A LARGE ICON OF THE DEISIS§Russian, 19th centuryChrist seated on a sumptuous throne with elaborate decoration emulating carvings of baroque style, flanked by His Mother and St. John the Baptist, both holding scrolls inscribed with prayers. The names are written in cartouches against a luminous background45 x 53 cm

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3.THE MOTHER OF GOD OF TIKHVINRussian, 19th century30.5 x 35 cm

4.CHRIST PANTOKRATORRussian, 19th century26.5 x 31 cm

5.A MENOLIGION FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBERRussian, 19th centuryThe Saints and Feasts celebrated in December are depicted over four registers, beginning from the upper left corner. More prominent among them are, on the first row, the slightly oversized figure of St. Nicholas and the announcement by an angel of the Birth of the Mother of God to St. Anna; on the third row the Nativity of Christ and, on the last register the Flight to Egypt and the Massacre of the Innocents. The borders include ten portraits of the Mother of God.35.5 x 30.8 cm

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6.MOTHER OF GOD OF SMOLENSKMoscow, 1860Executed in the realistic style, with a silver oklad and applied silver-gilt haloes, fully hallmarked, with a gilt frame, presented in a wooden and glazed kyotIcon size: 15 x 18 cm;Including the kyot: 29.5 x 33 cm

7.MOTHER OF GOD OF KAZANRussian, 19th centuryPortrayed naturalistically with soft shades, covered by a silver-gilt oklad with tooled background and stylized recurring scrolls on the border. The rims of the raised haloes are decorated with the Greek key pattern.

8.PRAISES TO THE MOTHER OF GOD ACCORDING TO THE AKATHISTOS HYMN (or “THE PROPHETS FROM ABOVE”)Russian, 19th centuryThe Mother of God is seated on a backless throne, against a rayed glory framed by leafy branches, flanked by prophets who hold objects that symbolically allude to the nature and role of the Mother of God in the Incarnation, and scrolls inscribed with praises to Her. Above there is an image of the blessing Christ and at the lower left corner a representation of the Seven Sleepers of Ephesos. The borders show four family patrons; to the left are Archangel Raphael and the Prophet Elijah and to the right are the Gurdian Angel and St. Anna the Prophetess. 30 x 35 cm

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9.ST GEORGE KILLING THE DRAGONRussian, 18th centuryOn the upper left corner, Christ emerges from the open skies to bless the saint, whereas the rescued princess Elisaba attends the event in amazement. Four patron saints are portrayed on the borders26 x 33 cm

10.ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST SURROUNDED BY FOUR MAJOR EVENTS FROM HIS LIFERussian, circa 1800Above there is an image of Lord Sabaoth in blessing, whereas the borders show the Guardian Angel and the female martyr, St. Agapia35 x 31 cm

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11.A VITA ICON OF ST. NICHOLASRussian, the icon dates to circa 1650, the silver oklad dates to circa 1700Twelve scenes surround the central portrait of the Saint; the latter and the border are covered by silver oklads.31 x 27 cm

12.AN EXTENDED DEISISRussian, Circa 1850Including beyond the Mother of God and St. John the Baptist, the Archangel Michael and Gabriel, St. John the Theologian, the Apostles Peter and Paul and St. Nicholas, and in the foreground, Sts. George and Paraskeva, as well as, the monastic saints Zosima and Savatii prostrated in the foreground.31.3 x 26.7 cm

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13.A MONUMENTAL ICON OF CHRIST THE SAVIOURRussian, 19th centuryThe icon focuses on the imposing figure of Christ, extending His right hand in blessing and displaying the open Book of Gospels.52 x 94 cm

14.THE NEW TESTAMENT TRINITYRussian, 19th centuryIn a circular glory, Christ and His Father “the Ancient of the Days” flank a cross-bearing orb, while the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove hovers above; flanked by two monastic saints in supplication.86 x 54 cm

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15.A LARGE ICON OF THE ENTRY OF THE MOTHER OF GOD TO THE TEMPLERussian, 19th centuryThe High Priest receives the Mother of God; the scene attended by Her kneeling parents and candle-bearing girls.60 x 68.7 cm

16.A MONUMENTAL PANEL SHOWING THE MOTHER OF GOD OF KAZAN BELOW AND ABOVE, AN ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD OF THE SIGN CARRIED BY TWO ANGELSRussian, 19th centuryThe inscription at the bottom of the panel is a quote from the troparion of the Kazanskaya: 0 fervent intercessor, Mother of the Lord Most High, you pray for all to your Son, Christ our God, and you contrive to save all who have recourse to your powerful protection. Protect all of us, o, Our Sovereign Lady and Queen.83 x 144 cm

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17.THE ANNUNCIATIONCentral Russian, second half of the 17th centuryExecuted in the traditional style influenced by the trends of Byzantine icon painting, the border covered by a basma31.6 x 26.5 cm

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18.THE STORY OF CHRIST’S NATIVITYRussian, 18th century32 x 28 cm

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19.THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST IN RIVER JORDANCentral Russian, 1600-1625Lord Sabaoth appears amidst the clouds in order to bless the event, whereas the Holy Spirit in a fiery red mandorla descends from the Heaven. 32 x 27 cm

20.AN ICON DEPICTING AN ICONOSTASISRussian, Circa 1800Depicted over five registers are the major feasts of the Orthodox calendar, the saints, prophets and angels. The upper part bears five domed, arched images with scenes from the martyrdom of Christ.32 x 26.3 cm

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21.A LARGE ICON OF THE OLD TESTAMENT TRINITYRussian, 19th century62 x 89 cm

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22.A MONUMENTAL ICON OF THE ASSEMBLY OF ALL SAINTSRussian, Circa 170080 x 105 cm

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23.ST. JOHN THE THEOLOGIAN RECITING THE APOCALYPSE TO HIS DISCIPLE, PROHOROS, ON THE GREEK ISLAND OF PATMOSRussian, Circa 1600

24.A LARGE ICON OF THE DEISISRussian, 19th centuryChrist the “King of Kings” flanked by the Mother of God and St. John the Baptist in supplication68 x 53 cm

25.AN ICON REPRESENTING THE LITURGICAL WEEKRussian, Circa 1800On this rare representation, each day of the week is represented by a feast day image. Beginning at top left the ‘Resurrection’ (Sunday); then the ‘Assembly of the Archangels’ (Monday); the ‘Beheading of John the Forerunner’ (Tuesday); the ‘Annunciation’ (Wednesday); the ‘Foot Washing’ (Thursday); and the ‘Crucifixion’ (Friday). Saturday is depicted as a gathering of ‘All Saints’ and occupies most of the lower part of the icon.)31 x 35 cm

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26.THE HOLY MANDYLIONRussian, Circa 1700With a silver halo and tsata31 x 26.5 cm

27.ST. JOHN THE FORERUNNER “ANGEL OF THE DESERT”Russian, Circa 1700Holding a Eucharistic chalice that contains the sacrificial body of Christ32.5 x 29 cm

28.A MONUMENTAL ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD “PATRON OF AGRICULTURE”Russian, 18th centuryInscribed at the bottom ”Rejoice, O Blessed One, the Lord is with You! Grant and reveal to us, the unworthy slaves, your Mercy. The Feast of Our Lady is celebrated on 15th October”.89.5 x 65 cm

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29.THE MOTHER OF GOD OF FYODOR AND SELECTED SAINTSRussian, Early 19th centuryA brass and enamel icon of the Mother of God of Feodor inserted in a finely painted panel, which depicts selected saints portrayed over four registers. The inscription on the lower border records that this is a “Prayer against drunkenness and a prayer to St. Bonifatii”35.5 x 30.5 cm

30.KURSKAYA MOTHER OF GODWith five family patrons on the border and an image of the Nursing Mother of GodNorth-West Russian, Circa 180044.8 x 37.5 cm

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31.A PRIVATELY COMMISSIONED TRIPTYCHRussian, 19th centuryIncluding an icon of St. Nicholas in the centre, flanked by Sts. Myron and Barbara51.2 x 40.7 cm

33.A LARGE ICON OF ST. NICHOLAS WITH A SILVER-PLATED OKLAD AND GILT HALORussian, Late 18th century48 x 40 cm

32.ST. NICHOLAS SURROUNDED BY SIXTEEN SCENES WHICH NARRATE THE STORY OF HIS LIFERussian, Middle of the 19th century35.5 x 30.2 cm

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35.THE APPEARANCE OF THE MOTHER OF GOD TO ST. SERGEYRussian, 18th centuryWith an image of the Old Testament Trinity above and two family patrons on the border, on the left the Guardian Angel and on the right St. Fyodor26.5 x 31 cm

34.THE DORMITION OF THE MOTHER OF GODRussian, Middle of the 19th century31 x 27 cm

36.THE APPEARANCE OF THE MOTHER OF GOD TO ST. SERGEY RADONEZHRussian, Dated 23 June 1804The inscription on the lower border of the icon provides the following information: “This icon was written in the year 1804 from the Nativity of Christ, in the month of June on the 23rd day. The Moscow icon–painter Mikhailo Kozmin”.31 x 26 cm

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37.STS. ANNA AND NADEZHDARussian, 19th century31 x 26.7 cm

38.A RARE AND LARGE ICON OF ST. CHARALAMBOSRussian, Late 18th century41 x 34 cm

40.ST. SERGEYRussian, Late 19th century31.3 x 26.5 cm

39.THE BLESSED PRINCE ST. ALEXANDER NEVSKYRussian, 19th century27 x 22 cm

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41.A VITA ICON OF ST. PANTELEIMONRussian, 18th century44 x 36 cm

42.STS. PETER AND PAUL IS SUPPLICATION TO CHRISTRussian (Mstera School), 19th century26 x 31 cm

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44.A SELECTION OF FAMILY PATRONSRussian, 19th centuryShowing Sts. Nicholas and Sergey in the centre, surrounded by the female martyrs Maria, Natalia, Claudia and Alexandra and an image of the blessing Christ in the open skies above35.5 x 30.7 cm

43.THE MAJOR ECCLESIASTICAL FEASTS SURROUNDING THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST FROM THE TOMBRussian, 19th century31.2 x 26.6 cm

45.THE PRESENTATION OF THE MOTHER OF GOD TO THE TEMPLE19th century62 x 63 cm

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46.THE NEW TESTAMENT TRINITYGreek, 18th century22 x 16 cm

48.ST. GEORGE KILLING THE DRAGONRussian, 19th century40 x 50 cm

47.THE APOSTLES PETER AND PAUL IN SUPPLICATION TO CHRISTRussian, Circa 180052 x 38 cm

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49.A porcelain and gilt hand-painted egg showing St. Seraphim of Sarov19th century10 cm high

50.A porcelain and gilt hand-painted egg depicting St. Mary Magdalen19th century9 cm high

51.A porcelain and gilt hand-painted egg portraying the Mother of God from the scene of the Annunciation19th century12 cm high

52.A porcelain Easter egg with the Resurrection of Christ from the Tomb19th century7.8 cm high

53.A porcelain and gilt Easter egg with the Resurrection of Christ from the Tomb19th century8 cm high

54.A large porcelain and gilt Easter egg illustrating the Resurrection of Christ from the Tomb19th century9.5 cm high

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55.A PORCELAIN PLATE WITH PIERCED RIM REPRESENTING A MARKET SCENE AND DECORATED IN GOLDRussian, made by Gardner, Late 19th centuryShowing an elderly boyar and his wife walking through the market. The walls of the Kremlin are depicted in the background. The plate is adorned with gold decoration along the circumference of the central scene and on the pierced rim. The back of the plate is marked with the Imperial double-headed eagle and the seal of Gardner porcelain manufacturers.Diameter: 21 cm

57.A PORCELAIN PLATE SHOWING A BOYAR IN THE MARKET SQUARERussian, Late 19th centuryA young boyar with rich garments standing in the square, with a sly expression twisting his moustache, three ladies like those portrayed on the previous plate depicted in the background. The edge of the green rim decorated with gold palmettes. The plate is numbered on the back.Diameter: 19 cm

56.A PORCELAIN PLATE SHOWING A MAID ACCOMPANIED BY TWO OLDER LADIES IN THE MARKETRussian, Late 19th centuryA market scene focused on a youthful lady dressed in beautiful garments and an assorted kokoshnik, with buildings in faded colours in the background. The plate is numbered on the back.Diameter: 19 cm