Russian school, ca. 1900. "Mother of the God Tikhvinskaya". Tempera and gold leaf on panel. Oklad in gilt silver and cloisonné enamel, with filigree a

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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, ca. 1900. "Mother of the God Tikhvinskaya". Tempera and gold leaf on panel. Oklad in gilt silver and cloisonné enamel, with filigree and cabochons of garnets and amethysts, white Volga pearls. It follows Fabergé models but the marks are apocryphal. Measurements: 22 x 18 cm. This icon is on the border between sacred art and decorative arts. This half-length Mother of God, with her head slightly bent, holding the Child Jesus in her left arm, pointing to him with her right arm, is called Tikhvinskaya. It is one of the most common depictions of the Mother of God and Jesus in Orthodox iconography. With this indicative gesture, the Virgin tells the viewer that the Truth is behind the Child Jesus and all those who will follow Him. The interest of this lot lies largely in the oklad, the gilded silver plate that covers part of its surface. The tradition of decorating icons with oklad appears after the mandate of the Most Holy Ruling Synod of 1722, when it was forbidden to hang metal crosses on icons and to leave offerings in the form of coins, as this tradition had pagan roots. This applied decoration is found almost everywhere in the world, but is most widespread in Central and Eastern Europe. And in the Orthodox tradition, the manufacture of these items became a separate type of art and craft: many travellers noted with admiration in their diaries the luxury of Ukrainian and Russian shrines. The material for the specialised craftsmen was precious metals, brass, copper and even tin. The wrought-iron base was completed with semi-precious stones, reliefs, engravings, enamels, filigree, stained glass and enamels. The back was lined with soft red or purple velvet, or covered with wax. There were also embroidered oklads, in which the sturdy fabric was decorated with pearls and beads. Oklads have not only an aesthetic purpose, but also a practical one. Icons painted on wood suffer from candle soot, humidity, temperature fluctuations and are constantly touched by parishioners. The paint also darkens, fades, cracks, crazes and rubs off. The oklad or "curling", another term used, protects the icons from damaging effects, prolonging their lifespan. As with icon painting, the materials used in making a decorative oklad have their own particular symbolism, which can tell a lot about the icon hidden underneath. For example, in the case of the auctioned icon, the main material, silver, symbolises purity and virtue, deliverance from sins and salvation of the soul. The pearls are the attribute of the Virgin Mary, symbolising her meekness, purity and perfection. Finally, the enamel represents the Christian virtues, such as humility, kindness, and love of neighbour.
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