19th C. Russian Silvered Icon, Mary of the Burning Bush

About Auction

Live

All That Glitters | Ancient & Ethnographic

By Artemis Gallery

Dec 9, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-12-09 12:00:00 2021-12-09 12:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : All That Glitters | Ancient & Ethnographic https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/all-that-glitters-ancient-ethnographic-8000
Join us for a very special holiday auction featuring jewelry, glass, icons, coins, and so much more. Think silver, gold, and all things shiny. Perfect for holiday gift giving or for self-gifting. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com

View Full Catalog (168)

• Lot Description
  Eastern Europe, Russia, ca. 19th century CE. Alternatively called the Virgin of the Burnish Bush or the Virgin of the Unburnt Bush, the iconographically rich composition of this icon, finely delineated in lustrous silver and egg tempera on wood, commemorates the miracle that Moses witnessed in the Old Testament dramatically described in the book of Exodus when God calls upon Moses from a bush that "was burning, yet it was not consumed" on Mount Horeb. The Church Fathers interpreted this as an image of Mary giving birth to Christ - represented by the divine fire - while miraculously remaining a virgin. Furthermore, a 14th century manuscript housed in the Solovki Monastery in Russia describes how Mary has the ability to send lightning, frost, and earthquakes to earth to punish the impious; and according to scholars, this source also served as inspiration for the Virgin of the Burnish Bush iconography which in the 14th century spread from Sinai to Russia. Size: 5.4" W x 7" H (13.7 cm x 17.8 cm)
  
  This icon depicts the burning bush symbolically with two overlapping diamonds - the blue diamond/rhombus representing the bush, the red diamond/rhombus representing the fiery flames that do not burn it. Within the red points are the symbols of the four evangelists: lion, ox, eagle, and man; within the blue points are angels of the Apocalypse. The corners feature visions of Moses, Isaiah, Ezekial, and Jacob - prophesies concerning the Mother of God: the burning bush of Moses, the seraph who purifies Moses' lips, the closed door of the Temple in Ezekiel (symbolizing Mary's virginity), and Jacob's Ladder. At the center of it all is the Theotokos Mother of God. Old Cyrillic passages are written in the borders to identify holy figures and narrate various episodes.
  
  Provenance: private New Jersey, USA collection
  
  All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
  
  A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
  
  PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
  
  Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
  
  #167320

  Condition

  A few stable fissures and areas of repainting. Expected nicks to peripheries, as well as chips and abrasions to verso. Otherwise, excellent with nice craquelure to egg tempera.
• Shipping Info

  • All shipping is handled in-house for your convenience. Your invoice from Artemis Gallery will include shipping calculation instructions. If in doubt, please inquire BEFORE bidding for estimated shipping costs for individual items.

• Buyer's Premium
  • 26.50 %