LOT 25
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Lot 25
A RARE AND IMPORTANT CARVED RELIEF ICON OF THE CRUCIFIXION, LATE 17TH/EARLY 18TH CENTURY. The central relief carved section depicting the Crucified Christ. On His right the two Marys’ and on His left the Apostle John and the Roman centurion Longinus. At the base of the cross a barely discernable skull representing the head of Adam whose tomb is said to have been at Golgotha and exposed by an earthquake during the Crucifixion. The lettering at top within the main scene of the Crucifixion reads, “The Crucifixion of the Lord, the King of Glory, the Son of God.” Slightly below, and interspersed between the cupolas, are the letters М Л Р Б signifying the expression, Mesto Lobnoe Ray Buist-The Place of the Skull Becomes Paradise. The extensive carved relief text is of course related to the subject of the crucifixion and begins with the Pascal verse derived from Psalm 68 (67 in some versions). It begins at top left and reads, “Let God arise and let his enemies be scattered.” These are often the same words found on the reverse side of Russian Orthodox metal crosses worn around the neck. When used as a prayer to the cross it reads as follows: “Let God arise and let His enemies be scattered; and let those who hate Him flee from His presence. As smoke vanishes, let them vanish and as was melts from the presence of fire, so let demons perish from the presence of those who love God and who sign themselves with the sign of the Cross and say in gladness: Hail, most precious and life-giving Cross of the Lord, for Thou drivest away the demons by the power of our Lord Jesus Christ crucified on thee, Who went down to Hades and trampled on the power of the devil, and gave us thee, his venerable Cross, for driving away all enemies. O most precious and life-giving Cross of the Lord, help me, with our Holy Lady, the Virgin Mother of God, and with all the Saints throughout the ages. Amen.” There are variations of this prayer in the Orthodox Paschal liturgy. In the example found on the offered icon, near the end of the carved text near the base are also found the standard words relating to images of the cross and the crucifixion: KRESTU TVOE SLAVIM POKLANYAEMSYA VLADIKO I SVYATOE VOSKRESENIE TVOE SLAVIM, “We Venerate Your Cross, Lord and Glorify Your Holy Resurrection.” Such icons are often associated with the Old Believer communities. A fine example in original untouched condition. 12.25 inches x 10.5 inches (31.5 x 26.5 cm) For stylistic similarities see: Russian Wooden Sculpture, Fine Art Publishing, Moscow 1994, page 183, The Synax of the Archangel Michael, dated to the 17th century, and page 275, an icon of St. Nicetas, especially the crosshatch carving on his armor, also dated to the 17th century.
Estimate:
$2,500 - 3,000
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