**First Time At Auction**

Eastern Europe, Russia, ca. late 19th century CE. Finely delineated in gold leaf, egg tempera, gesso, and varnish on wood, a beautiful icon depicting the Holy Face. Christ's visage is mesmerizing, and peers out with his large eyes and rich complexion from a surround that is lavishly embellished with layers of gold leaf. What's more, the decorative details also present with impressive artistry. Notice the meticulously rendered dotted floral border that adorns the icon just before it resolves in a raised, fluted integral frame. A very special Acheiropoieta (also called Icons Made Without Hands) devotional piece, an icon believed to have come about via a miracle rather than being created by a human. Size: 14.75" L x 10.25" W (37.5 cm x 26 cm)

In the Eastern Christian world, the Holy Face is referred to as that of the Mandylion, the portrait of Christ sent to Edessa to cure King Abgar. This image was discovered inside a wall in the year 545 and transferred to Constantinople in 944. It was then exhibited in the Church of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople until the year 1204 when it disappeared during the Fourth Crusade. Some believe that it may correspond to the famous folded Shroud of Turin. The keramion (tile) that walled in the Mandylion during historic persecutions purportedly preserved a reverse image of this Holy Face. Three known Holy Face icons derive from the Mandylion of Constantinople: those of Novgorod, Laon (France), and Yaroslav.

By contrast, according to Western belief, the portrait of Christ is a visage miraculously left by Jesus on a veil that Veronica used to wipe his face on Calvary, and the Golden Legend tells of Emperor Tiberius' cure by this veil which Veronica brought to him in Rome. The relic which is actually referred to as "Veronica" (stemming from vera icon meaning "true image") was purportedly copied many times before it was lost.

Provenance: private Los Angeles County, California, USA collection, acquired by descent from the owner's father, collection amassed between 1950 to 1990

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A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

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#160109

Expected surface wear commensurate with age, with scuffs, abrasions, and losses as shown. Age cracks and inactive insect holes visible on the verso. There is a very faint incised figural drawing and inscription on verso. Losses to old labels on verso. Wired for suspension and ready to display.