Lot 10
A RUSSIAN ICON OF THE DORMITION, MOSCOW. The Dormition depicts the death or 'Falling Asleep' of Mary. Tradition relates that when her death grew near, angels brought the apostles from different parts of the world. Christ is shown at center within a mandrola receiving His mother’s soul, represented as an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes. Above them a red six-winged Seraph. The Apostles stand around her and in this example an additional row of saints has been added. Below a fanatical Jewish priest (sometimes named Iefoniya or Athonios) stands before the bier on which Mary lies. Attempting to push it over, he has his hands cut off by a sword-wielding angel (he later repented and was healed). The story of the Dormition is based largely on a fourth or fifth century apocryphal work called 'The Discourse of Holy John the Theologian Regarding the Dormition of the Mother of God.' The Dormition is one of the twelve major church festivals and is celebrated on August 28th. The offered lot is clearly executed in the 16th century Novgorod style, a style which was resurrected in the 19th century. There is evidence to suggest that the central section of the offered icon is possibly of an earlier period and later set into a panel in the 19th century, a common practice used to extend the life of important icons. However it is also possible that the offered lot is simply a 19th century icon executed in an earlier style. The background craquluere and apparent seam or crevasse along the kovcheg would suggest an earlier dating. There is also evidence to suggest that the neutral background area and borders were once covered with decorative basma. The panel construction itself is also indefinite, exhibiting aspects of both earlier and later panel construction, although leaning towards later. The green borders and background are clearly of a later date than the original central section as is the inscription along the top border identifying the subject as the Dormition (USPENIE) of the Most Holy Mother of God. 12 inches x 10.25 inches (31cm x 26cm).
Estimate:  $2,000 - 3,000   € 1,500 - 2,250

Price Realized: $5,520.00