A RARE RUSSIAN SILVER-GILT ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD OF KAZAN BY IVAN GUNIAEV, ST PETERSBURG
Details
Rectangular, traditionally painted, the borders cast and chased with scrolling acanthus leaves within beaded rims, with finely chased putto masks at each corner, the garments and halos of the Mother of God and Christ Child finely chased and applied with varicolour pastes and pearls, the top of the Mother of God's halo with two angels holding a paste-set Imperial crown, decorated with red enamel, marked on lower border and halos with maker's mark 121⁄4 x 101⁄2 in. (31 x 27 cm.)
Lot Essay
The present icon appears to be a close copy of the celebrated icon of the Mother of God of Kazan housed in the Kazan Cathedral in St Petersburg. It is distinguished by the Imperial crown borne by two angels above the halo, as well as the varicoloured gemstones adorning the vestments of both the Mother of God and Christ. Kazan Cathedral was constructed in 1811 specifically to house this icon, which is considered to be one of the most venerated icons in the Russian Orthodox tradition and was regarded as the protector of the Romanov dynasty.
Details
Rectangular, traditionally painted, the borders cast and chased with scrolling acanthus leaves within beaded rims, with finely chased putto masks at each corner, the garments and halos of the Mother of God and Christ Child finely chased and applied with varicolour pastes and pearls, the top of the Mother of God's halo with two angels holding a paste-set Imperial crown, decorated with red enamel, marked on lower border and halos with maker's mark 121⁄4 x 101⁄2 in. (31 x 27 cm.)
Lot Essay
The present icon appears to be a close copy of the celebrated icon of the Mother of God of Kazan housed in the Kazan Cathedral in St Petersburg. It is distinguished by the Imperial crown borne by two angels above the halo, as well as the varicoloured gemstones adorning the vestments of both the Mother of God and Christ. Kazan Cathedral was constructed in 1811 specifically to house this icon, which is considered to be one of the most venerated icons in the Russian Orthodox tradition and was regarded as the protector of the Romanov dynasty.
