World Treasures: Important Russian, Asian, European & American Works
November 19th & 20th, 2013
auction closed
Day One - Lots 1-490G
Day Two - Lots 491-936


 
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LOT 77
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Lot 77
A FINE & RARE RUSSIAN IMPERIAL PRESENTATION ICON OF ST. ALEXI METROPOLITAN OF MOSCOW TO TSAREVICH ALEXI NIKOLAEVICH, OCTOBER 5, 1913. At center within an arched reserve, a full length image of Saint Alexi Metropolitan of Moscow. In gilt lettering at the top of the arch within a reserve, inscribed in Cyrillic, "In commemoration of the most solemn great day of the precious angel of his Imperial Highness the Heir and Tsarevich Alexei Nikolaevich, 5th October 1913." And at center on the lower margin "To our dear benefactor and protector, from the unfortunate children of the Orphan School and Asylum, and its founder and Master of Students A. N. Belov." The borders ornately incised and painted to simulate cloisonné enameling. The upper corners similarly incised and with cross forms. 12.25 inches x 10.6 inches (31 x 27 cm).
Estimate:  $7,500 - 10,000  
Price Realized: $13,750.00

October 5th was the Church commemoration of the Moscow Metropolitans Alexi, Peter and Jonas and was of course also the name day of the Tsarevich Alexei. Before the October Revolution, the name day was considered as important as, or more important than, the celebration of the birthday. The rationale for this importance is that one's baptism is the event by which they are "born anew" in Christ. In royal tradition, gifts would be given, such as a diamond or a pearl or an icon. One of the most popular references of a Russian name day is the entire first act of Anton Chekhov's Three Sisters, where Irina is celebrating her name day. Another literary depiction of a formal Russian name day ceremony occurs in Alexander Pushkin's "Eugene Onegin" where Tatiana's name day is celebrated. Name days are also mentioned in Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace.


The diary entry for Tsar Nicholas II for October 5, 1913 reads: Alexis received his gifts in our bedroom. According to the inscription on the lower margin, it would appear that the Tsarevich was the benefactor of the named school.


All items are sold “AS IS” and there will be no returns based on condition. The items sold are often of considerable age and will exhibit wear, usage and damage often not listed in the catalog entry. The absence of condition remarks in the catalog entry DOES NOT mean the item is in perfect condition. Prospective buyers are in ALL CASES responsible for determining the physical condition of lots. No employee or agent of Jackson's International Auctioneers and Appraisers is authorized to make on our behalf or on that of the consignor any representation or warranty, oral or written, with respect to any property. Therefore, if a prospective bidder has not examined the property to their satisfaction before the sale, or his/her agent has not inspected the property, Jackson's recommends that they not bid on the property. All dimensions are approximate. The condition of frames is not guaranteed.