Icon of St. Seraphim of Sarov. Early 1900s. 8 3/4" x 7 1/8". Beautiful sterling silver riza, hand painted with egg tempera on a wood panel in good condition. The painted icon does exhibit the entire silhouette of St. Seraphim's image when removing the riza from the panel. In 1903, Seraphim of Sarov was glorified (canonized as a saint) by the Russian Orthodox Church. Saint Seraphim of Sarov (b. 1759 - d. 1833) is one of the most venerated and renowned Russian monks and mystics in the Eastern Orthodox Church. He taught that the purpose of the Christian life was to acquire the Holy Spirit. This icon was written a year after St. Seraphim was canonized. The metal riza (oklad) has been cleaned and is in splendid condition. The silver mark "84" is stamped both on the riza and the halo (which is a separate piece), and it is much more distinguishable on the halo. Both places include the stamp of the silversmith. The riza follows the type of detailing that would be created in its day for an icon of the Mother of God, exhibiting great mastery and decorative sophistication. The icon most likely originated in St. Petersburg, Russia and represents a special commission in honor of St. Seraphim's canonization. To add to its uniqueness and provenance, there is an engraved brass plaque on the back of the icon which reads as follows: "[To the Holy] Father of the Company Commander from the lower ranks of 8 companies of the Sveaborg Fortress Infantry Regiment." The plaque is dated: December 31, 1904. Historically at the time of this icon, Finland was part of the Russian Empire. Today Sveaborg is known as Suomenlinna, (until 1918 it was Sveaborg, its Swedish name), and is an inhabited sea fortress built on six islands. Nowadays it is part of Helsinki, the capital of Finland. 8 3/4" x 7 1/8".
$3,000. [#AIC-35]
Side view of riza | Back view
Closeup of plaque | View of riza only
Full painting | Closeup view of painting

                Late 19th cent., Russian icon of the Theotokos of Tikhvine. 6 1/4" x 5 1/8" icon. Kiot (kivot) is 11 3/4" at the top peak by 8 3/4". The icon is hand painted with egg tempera on a wood panel.The riza is firmly fixed and has not been removed for examination, the painting is probably typical of the time period (schematic). The riza is beautifully hand repoussed with plated with silver over copper. The icon remains in the original kiot that it was intended for and is found to be in good condition. A mildly tarnished three-dimensional image of the Holy Spirit is attached at the top. Back is covered with purple velvet. This older icon illustrates that which was used for veneration and can be found in the collections of many families and churches.
Sorry, sold. [#AIC-45] Side view | Back view of kiot
Top of icon and kiot | Back view of icon
Full view of icon | Closeup view of icon

                Late 19th century icon depicting six saints supplicating Christ held in his mother's arms. Two angels help to offer the prayers of St. Dmitri Rostovskii, St. Alexei the Man of God, St. George the Trophy Bearer, Great Martyr St. Barbara, Great Martyr St. Anastasia and St. Maria Magdalena. Handwritten on the back, using Cyrillic numerals, is "1923 Saturday P Novembria Wednesday 1948." It indicates a 25th jubilee of the November date of the 3rd, 10th, 17th, or 24th (which one exactly, is unknown). In good condition, other than a few small chips and what appear to be candle burns on the bottom right. 8 1/2" x 10".
$495. 1 only. As is. [#PI-25] Detail view | Detail view | Back view | Closeup view of damage

                Originally the Kazan Mother of God icon was found in a garden in 1579 in the city of Kazan. The first of these special icons was carried by Prince Pozharsky into battle against the Poles. A special church was built in Kazan for her in 1679, but due to its miraculous nature, the icon was in Moscow, so a copy was installed. In 1821 the first icon traveled to St. Petersburg where it was installed in the, at the time, newly constructed Kazan Cathedral on Nevskii (Nevsky)Prospect. In 1918 the icon was seized by the Soviet Government, and enroute to Moscow, it vanished. This is a delicately painted newer icon on freshwater mother of pearl, surrounded by genuine pearls, in a fine filigree frame. Hardware is attached to the back enabling it to be worn as a pin or displayed standing (easel back). 2" x 3".
Sorry, sold. [#ECM-10] Detail