Russian school, 18th-19th century. "Portable five-tiered iconostasis". Tempera, gold leaf on panel.

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RUSSIAN ICONS

By Setdart Auction House

Sep 23, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-09-23 10:00:00 2021-09-23 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : RUSSIAN ICONS https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/setdart-auction-house/russian-icons-7431
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• Lot Description
  Russian school, 18th-19th century. "Portable five-tiered iconostasis". Tempera, gold leaf on panel. Measurements: 43 x 120 cm. 51 x 128 cm (frame). Iconostasis as a religious object is one of the most important phenomena of medieval Russian culture. Iconostases of the 15th-16th century can be divided into four types according to the number of levels, or rows, from two to five levels. They also reached their full development in the 16th century with five rows. Iconostases exist both for public use, in churches, and for domestic use, as in the present lot. In their structure they are practically the same as ecclesiastical iconostases, but with some slight changes that are linked above all to the convenience of use. The reading of any iconostasis starts from the bottom upwards. The lower level is called the local level. In the case of the lot of interest, it imitates the structure of an ecclesiastical iconostasis, since it has a central door, known as the 'sacred' door. It has no functional use, but serves to respect the structure. It is decorated with six miniatures of the annunciation, and below this scene are miniatures of the four evangelists. On either side of the door are depictions of the Virgin and John the Baptist, archangels Michael and Gabriel, and other local saints. Unlike the fixed iconostasis, this one lacks the south and north doors, which are located at both ends of the iconostasis. The second row is called the 'festive level'. This is where the important Gospel celebrations are located. It usually contains the images of the Crucifixion, Resurrection, Descent into Hell, The Passion of Christ, The Last Supper. In the case of this image, scenes with a Marian theme can be seen. The fourth row contains the Deesis level. This is the most important level of the whole iconostasis, from which its construction really begins. Deésis is Greek for prayer. In the centre of this level is always Jesus Christ, different versions are possible. In the case of the present iconostasis, the author opted for an unusual composition. In the central register of the iconostasis, just above the fictitious door, there is a triple representation of Christ in the form of the Last Supper, and above this miniature, there is the Crucifixion and the miniature of the Deesis in a single image, unlike the traditional structure, when the Virgin, Jesus Christ and St John the Baptist, the three protagonists of the scene, are represented in individual icons, in the form of a triptych. On the two sides of the third and fourth levels are miniatures of various saints, apostles and prophets. The iconostasis culminates with the fifth level, which belongs to the antediluvian patriarchs. These are the characters of the Old Testament, the ancestors of Christ, including the first humans, Adam, Eve and Abel. This iconostasis is a religious work of a very high level, both compositionally and chromatically, as well as iconographically.
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