ICON IN SILVER OKLAD ‘ST. BASIL THE GREAT (?)’ Russia, mid-XIX century

Wood, oil. Oklad - silver, chasing, engraving. Brass crown. The illegible stamps are in the middle of the icon. 12 x 9.5 cm. Condition: painting is under a layer of darkened varnish. There are traces of re-engraving of the inscriptions on the oklad. An exquisite silver oklad with a high relief of ornaments and draperies of clothes, made in the baroque style, subtly emphasizes the splendor of the image. The Saint is depicted with a blessing gesture and a massive Church book. St. Basil the Great (circa 329-379) received a brilliant secular education, but preferred the spiritual life and became Archbishop of Caesarea and then Constantinople. He composed the rite of the liturgy, a variety of teachings and interpretations, and fought against heretics-Arians.