18th C. Russian Icon - Virgin of the Kiss
**Originally Listed At $600**
Eastern Europe, Russia, ca. 19th century CE. A precious icon depicting the Virgin of the Kiss - Mother of God - finely painted in tempera and gold leaf on wood and set in a blue velvet covered mat within a glass fronted case. The Virgin of the Sweet Kiss is a subject that derives from a prototype purportedly painted by Saint Luke at Ephesus, and believed to be the first icon depicting the Virgin Mary that Prince Vladimir brought to Kiev in 988 CE. Size: 11.25" L x 8.5" W (28.6 cm x 21.6 cm); 14.875" L x 11.875" W (37.8 cm x 30.2 cm)
Characteristic of a Mother of God icon, this piece presents the intensely expressive visages of Mary and baby Jesus, their pristine oval faces juxtaposed closely as the Child presses his cheek against his mother's, the Virgin's protective, maternal gaze revealing a bittersweet awareness of her son's fate, returned by Jesus' sweet, trusting innocence. Their playful hand gestures complements the emotional aspect of this composition.
Icons (icon means "image" in Greek) are sacred objects within the Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition. Found in homes as well as churches, 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: private Ventura County, California, USA collection
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 to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#140345
Condition Report: Expected surface wear with scuffs and pigment/gold leaf loss commensurate with age. Perforations around haloes and border suggest that this icon was once covered with an oklad/riza. Abrasions to border/peripheries. Mat/case date later.
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**Originally Listed At $600**
Eastern Europe, Russia, ca. 19th century CE. A precious icon depicting the Virgin of the Kiss - Mother of God - finely painted in tempera and gold leaf on wood and set in a blue velvet covered mat within a glass fronted case. The Virgin of the Sweet Kiss is a subject that derives from a prototype purportedly painted by Saint Luke at Ephesus, and believed to be the first icon depicting the Virgin Mary that Prince Vladimir brought to Kiev in 988 CE. Size: 11.25" L x 8.5" W (28.6 cm x 21.6 cm); 14.875" L x 11.875" W (37.8 cm x 30.2 cm)
Characteristic of a Mother of God icon, this piece presents the intensely expressive visages of Mary and baby Jesus, their pristine oval faces juxtaposed closely as the Child presses his cheek against his mother's, the Virgin's protective, maternal gaze revealing a bittersweet awareness of her son's fate, returned by Jesus' sweet, trusting innocence. Their playful hand gestures complements the emotional aspect of this composition.
Icons (icon means "image" in Greek) are sacred objects within the Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition. Found in homes as well as churches, 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: private Ventura County, California, USA collection
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 to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#140345
Condition Report: Expected surface wear with scuffs and pigment/gold leaf loss commensurate with age. Perforations around haloes and border suggest that this icon was once covered with an oklad/riza. Abrasions to border/peripheries. Mat/case date later.
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