Eastern Europe, Russia, ca. late 19th century CE. Hand painted in egg tempera on wood with an 88% silver oklad cover (also oclad or riza) delineated in repousse and chased with finely delineated details, a Christ Pantocrator icon presenting Christ delivering a blessing with his right hand and holding an open book of Gospels with his left; His halo beautifully chased with a cloud-like band followed by several decorative bands and then skillfully cut with openwork of pointed motifs and stars - also graced with traces of gilding; the holy book engraved with lettering in old Cyrillic; the surrounding oklad also presenting the flowing drapery of Christ's robes, a stippled background, and a raised border adorned with a berried vine motif and in each corner, overlapping squares to create an 8-pointed star housing what appear to be crossed scrolls. Oklad: 88% silver w/ traces of gilding on halo. Size: 7" L x 5.75" W (17.8 cm x 14.6 cm)
The border is also embellished with an inscription in old Cyrillic lettering below Christ as well as hallmarks on the turned lower end. A fine example with an expertly painted image and a breathtaking ornamental oklad.
The most accepted translation of Pantocrator is "Almighty" or "All Powerful" and the visage of Jesus certainly projects his omnipotence. This iconic depiction continues to be a central icon of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Christ gazes beyond the confines of the image, his visage finely delineated with graceful brushstrokes, a rendering aspiring to the naturalism sought in classical antiquity and the Renaissance, this in contrast to the elaborately enameled gilded nimbus and surrounding borders featuring leaf and 'beaded' motifs – resulting in a rich balance between naturalism and spiritual transfiguration.
The oklad or riza, sometimes referred to as a revetment in English, is a metal cover (made of bronze, brass, or silver as we see in this example) 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.
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. 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: ex Estate of Dr. W.M. Bogdanowicz, Naples, Florida USA
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#160750
Condition
Silver oklad has some expected age wear with indentations, separations between folded back corners, folds to some tips of halo openwork details. The hallmarks on the silver oklad (shown in photos) though difficult to decipher. Painting shows some craquelure and scuffs, but is otherwise vivid. Color of velveteen covering on the verso and sides of icon has faded a bit, but is otherwise very good.