Fine 19th C. Russian Icon - Christ Pantocrator

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Clearance Sale - Ancient / Ethnographic Art

By Artemis Gallery

Jun 7, 2018

Set Reminder 2018-06-07 09:00:00 2018-06-07 09:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Clearance Sale - Ancient / Ethnographic Art https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/clearance-sale---ancient-ethnographic-art-3264
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• Lot Description
  Eastern Europe, Russia, ca. 19th century CE. Finely painted in egg tempera on gesso atop wood, an icon of Christ Pantokrator (also Pantocrator), Lord of the Universe, holding an open holy Gospel and a golden yad (or yawd) in his left hand, the fingers of his right hand giving benediction, arranged to form the initials of Christ's monogram, IC XC. The circular icon is set in an accompanying decorative frame, beautifully gilded atop ruby-red paint on gesso, with two columns flanking either side of an arched perimeter and an ornate spiralized crest on top. Twin metal loops and suspension wire on verso. Size (frame): 19.625" W x 17.5" H (49.8 cm x 44.4 cm); size (icon): 11.125" in Diameter (28.3 cm).
  
  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 expertly carved elaborate surround.
  
  Icons were some of the first religious artworks brought to Russia from Byzantium. These sacred pictures reached a high point in the Byzantine era, however, the Russians brought their own style to the art of the icon. Icons were initially created for use in churches and processions. In time they became smaller and were used increasingly within households. To this day they remain an important form of visual culture in Russia's orthodox religious community. Icons (icon means "image" in Greek) are sacred objects within the Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition. 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-Francis & Lilly Robicsek collection, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
  
  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.
  
  We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
  
  #119488

  Condition

  Icon has age-commensurate surface wear, light abrasions to Christ's face and around peripheries, light pigmentation fading, and a light layer of earthen deposits across the surface. Frame has several areas of cracking and loss to gesso, fading and loss to gilding and red pigment, chips to crest, and loosening to one lateral column. Two metal loops and a suspension cord on verso.
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