AN ICON «THE VLADIMIRSKAYA MOTHER OF GOD» IN A SILVER-GILT OKLAD Moscow, end of 19th century
Lot 188
1 9002 200
Wood, gesso, tempera
Oklad: silver, silver-gilt, chased, engraved
Hallmarks: maker’s mark ‘A.B.’; Assay mark ‘A.S.’ over the date 1869; coat of arms of the city of Moscow and silver mark ‘84’
31 x 27 cm
Condition: generally in a good condition, minor deformations of the Oklad
The presented icon is an early example of the Eleusa iconographic type of the Mother of God (in which the infant Jesus Christ is nestled against her cheek), known also as the Virgin of Tenderness. The Vladimir icon is considered to be the primary relic of Russia. The icon is ascribed numerous miracles and liberations from enemy invasions. The main events of Russian history are associated with it, it appears in many legends and historical tales, it ranks first in popularity among the Russian icons of the Mother of God. The icon is particularly valuable because of its magnificent silver Oklad, decorated with various ornamental motifs.