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Russia, 19th century CE. A framed icon of Sergii of Radonezh, a famous Muscovite monk, his expressive visage exquisitely painted by a skilled hand. The outer case (kiot) is made of wood, with a glass front and small metal clasp; the frame surrounding the image has been gilded and adorned with large applied abstract cross designs and fleur-de-lis symbols. The central image is a suberbly painted icon of Sergii of Radonezh wearing a dark blue cassock and holding a scroll. A special example with an old iron ring for suspension at the top. Size: 6.75" W x 7.5" H (17.1 cm x 19 cm)

From the 18th to the early 20th century, icons were ubiquitous in Russian life - in churches, of course, but also in homes, hospitals, shops, schools, even prisons! They were given as marriage gifts, watched over and comforted the sick, and even accompanied armies into battle. Individuals usually owned icons of their patron saint. Icons were made from prepared slabs of wood, painted in a stylized nature - often rigidly copied from earlier versions of the icons, as they are meant to literally show the faces of the people they depict.

Provenance: From the Lilly and Francis Robiscek Collection of Religious Art, Charlotte, NC

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#119478

Wear to wood of frame with some loss to gilding as shown; painting shows nice craquelure; small losses to upper right and lower left applique in frame.