**First Time At Auction**

Eastern Europe, Russia, ca. 19th century CE. Expertly painted in egg tempera on wood, an icon depicting the Mother of God modeled on the renowned 16th century prototype. The icon is adorned with a marvelously detailed brass oklad, featuring cut haloes with openwork lacelike borders, wonderful vestments delineated in repousse so that the voluminous drapery folds cascade over Virgin and Child, with meticulously incised details to delineate the patterns and textures of the fabrics, as well as an integral gilded frame incised with a floral pattern that matches that of the Virgin's robe. The strongly modeled visages shaded with stunning sfumato to produce soft, hazy personages suggest a Western European Renaissance influence. Size: 16.5" L x 14.75" W (41.9 cm x 37.5 cm) framed; visible image measures 10.125" L x 8.375" W (25.7 cm x 21.3 cm)

According to curator Jeanne Marie Warzeski, "Russian icons of the mother of God—patterned on Byzantine originals— often received their Russian titles from the names of monasteries, towns where they appeared, countries they came from, and prophecies and visions from which they originated." (Jeanne Marie Warzeski, "Windows into Heaven: Russian Icons from the Lilly and Francis Robicsek Collection of Religious Art" catalogue accompanying the North Carolina Museum of History exhibition (October 4, 2013 - March 5, 2014, p. 16)

The oklad or riza, sometimes referred to as a revetment in English, is a metal cover, in this case brass, that not only protects the icon, but also serves to honor or venerate the figure(s) depicted on the icon. Oklads are usually adorned with repousse work and pierced to reveal elements of the underlying painting. This artisan truly knew how to bring brass to life in a manner that both complements and uplifts the painted image.

Icons (icon means "image" in Greek) are sacred objects within the Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition. Found in homes as well as churches, these painted images depict holy persons and saints as well as illustrate scenes from the Scriptures. Some icons, like this example, are encased in precious metal covers (oklads). Icons are not worshiped, but are instead venerated for their ability to focus the power of an individual's prayer to God. As such they are truly "windows into heaven."

Provenance: private Ventura County, California, USA collection

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#129101

Minor scratches / scuffs to painted image. Oklad shows some bending and slight wear; element fastening nimbus of Christ has lifted a bit. Areas of surface loss to frame.