A FINE LARGE PROCESSIONAL RUSSIAN ICON, 17TH C

A FINE LARGE PROCESSIONAL RUSSIAN ICON, 17TH C. Comprising a large and impressive Russian double-sided icon of the Hodegitria Mother of God, and Saint Nicholas. Here Mary holds her infant son Christ who delivers a blessing and holds a scroll. She gestures towards her son with her right hand directing the viewer to the source of salvation hence the title "Hodegitria" roughly translated from the Greek as "Way-Shower" or "Guide". Executed in the traditional old style, the light blue chiton of the Virgin is covered with a burgundy-purple maphorion decorated with three stars symbolizing her virginity. The borders and background are decorated with incised silver strips (basma). The heads of the Virgin and Christ are encircled with an ornate silver-gilt repoussé and chased haloes displaying angels, seraphim and flowers. Suspended from the halo is a similarly decorated silver tsata repousséd with the Old Testament Trinity amidst large flower heads. The halo and tsata likely Yaroslavl although unmarked. The reverse of the icon with an 18th century standard image of St. Nicholas, however with no embellishments. 23.5 inches x 18.5 inches. (60 x 47 cm).

Provenance:
A private American collection since 1999 or before.

Provenance:
Jackson's International Sale of June 16, 2015, lot 1 where acquired by the current consignor for $25,000.

Literature:
Pope John Paul II Cultural Center Windows into Heaven, Russian Icons, 1550-1917, Washington D.C. 2003, exhibition catalog, where illustrated.
Knights of Columbus Museum Holy Icons of Mother Russia New Haven, Connecticut, 2002-2003, exhibition catalog, where illustrated.

Exhibited:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S.A. Ave Maria Foundation "Heaven on Earth, The Holy Art of Imperial Russia 1650-1917" February 7, 2001-March 21, 2001
Topeka, Kansas, U.S.A. Heartland Orthodox Christian Museum "Spiritual Treasures of Czarist Russia" September 1, 2001-October 1, 2001
Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A. Pontifical College Josephinum "Heaven on Earth" icon exhibition January 11, 2002-February 10, 2002
New Haven, Connecticut U.S.A. Knights of Columbus Museum, "Holy Icons of Mother Russia" icon exhibition October 2, 2002-January 31, 2003.
Washington D.C. U.S.A. Pope John Paul II Cultural Center, "Windows into Heaven, Russian Icons, 1550-1917" June 5th, 2003-August 7th, 2028

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Condition Report: Important Notice: The absence of condition information in the description does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition, a condition report is available by request.