A LARGE AND INTERESTING RUSSIAN PRESENTATION ICON OF SAINT ALEXANDRA, OVCHINNIKOV, MOSCOW, 1909.  Executed on copper and contained within an ornate silver gilt repoussé Byzantine style frame with arched reserve, a full-length depiction of the Empress Saint Alexandra, finely painted wearing an ornately embroidered and bejeweled gown and crown and with shoulder height Slavonic inscription identifying her as SVATAYA TSARITSA ALEXANDRA-The Holy Empress Alexandra. The verso with extensive and deeply engraved dedicatory inscription in Cyrillic: "In the Year 1909: This Image was presented as a gift to the Church of The Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called near the Kishinev I Gymnasium by Chamberlain of the Court Georgiy Dmitrievich Krupenskiy in memory of his unforgettable mother Alexandra Georgievna Krupenskiy, born Katarzhi. (Died) 7th of September, 1907." The substantial silver-gilt frame hallmarked Moscow, circa 1908-1917, stamped with Cyrillic maker’s mark OVCHINNIKOV beneath the Imperial Warrant, and 84 silver standard. The top of frame with substantial integral double suspension loop. Overall dimensions 24 inches x 16 inches (61 x 41 cm).

Price Realized: $62,500.00

A FINE RUSSIAN ICON OF THE VLADIMIR MOTHER OF GOD, MOSCOW 1899-1907.  A finely and fully painted image of the Vladimir Mother of God, being earlier than the riza, circa 1800, but unquestionably the riza was made for this icon. Overlaid with an ornate gilded silver, repoussed, and chased riza with cloisonné enameled haloes, corner plaques and title plaques. Hallmarked Moscow, 1899-1907 and with Cyrillic makers initials НГ., and with later spurious Fabergé mark. 12.5 inches x 10.75 inches (32 x 27.5 cm).

Price Realized: $8,750.00

A RARE AND VERY FINE ANTIQUE RUSSIAN ICON OF ST. NICHOLAS PRESENTED TO POPE JOHN PAUL II BY PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN.  A finely painted image of St. Nicholas delivering a blessing and holding an open book of Gospels to a variant of Luke 16:17. The extensive use of fine gilt shading and extensive chrysography together with the overall palette, dark facial shadows and finely painted facial hair, all resemble icons from the Moscow workshop of Palekh trained iconographer N. N. Bakanov. The entire icon overlaid with a gilded silver, repoussé and chased riza with shaded enamel halo and champlevé enamel title plaque. Hallmarked Moscow 1897-1908 and with Cyrillic maker's mark "И.А.А.," for Ivan Alekseivich Alekseiev, and with 84 silver standard. The verso covered in silk. 12.5 inches x 12.6 inches (31 x 26.5 cm).

Price Realized: $143,750.00

A UNIQUE & UNCOMMON RUSSIAN RELIQUARY ICON, KOSTROMA, 18TH CENTURY.  At top center a finely painted image of the New Testament Trinity Amongst the Powers together with the Mother of God and St. John the Forerunner, and immediately below the Guardian Angel flanked by a gathering of saints on either side. On the left side from the top down are depicted, St. Mary of Egypt, St. Nikita the Warrior, St. Theodore Tyron, St. Dmitry of Thessaloniki, and St. George Bishop of Mitylene. On the right side from the top down are Saints Theodosia the Monastic Martyr, St. Theodore Stratilates, the Holy Martyr Daria, the Holy Martyr Auxentius of Sebaste, and the Holy Great Martyr Barbara. Near the head of seven of the 10 saints depicted is an obvious slightly sunken circular indentation encircled with the name of the corresponding saint and presumably indicating the location of an implanted relic. Additionally, the silver gilt riza displays a gemstone mounted directly over that same region. The saints whose relic is presumably embedded next to them include: Saint Mary of Egypt, St. Nikita the Warrior, St. Theodore Tyron, St. Dmitry of Thessaloniki, Theodosia the Monastic Martyr, St. Theodore Stratilates, and the Holy Martyr Auxentius of Sebaste. The finely painted icon overlaid with an open gilded silver repoussed and chased riza mounted with gemstones and hallmarked Kostroma, dated 1770 and with Cyrillic maker's mark "ГР" for Gregoriy Stepanov Ratkov. 10.25 inches x 8.75 inches (26 x 22 cm). Rare.

Price Realized: $13,750.00

A VERY FINE RUSSIAN ICON OF SAINT NICHOLAS, MOSCOW, DATED 1894.  Traditionally depicted, here Nicholas, attired in the office of Bishop, delivers a blessing and holds an open book of Gospels to a variant of Luke 6:17, the Sermon on the Plain. Overlaid with an exceptional gilded silver repoussed and chased riza with cloisonné halo, corner plaques and title plaque. Hallmarked Moscow, dated 1894, and with Cyrillic maker's mark ИФ for noted silversmith Ivan Futikin. The verso covered in velvet. 12.5 inches x 10.3 inches (31.5 x 26.5 cm).

Price Realized: $12,500.00

A FINE AND SCARCE RUSSIAN ICON OF THE FEODOROVSKAYA MOTHER OF GOD, P.I. OLOVYANISHNIKOV, MOSCOW, 1908-1917.  A traditionally rendered image of the Feodor Mother of God inspired by earlier models and in keeping with the style made popular by the firm Olovyanishnikov and as propagated by noted iconographer Nikolai Sergeevich Emelianov who is known to have worked with the Olovyanishnikov firm. The borders overlaid with silver repoussé basma and with over-fitting frame and applied silver halo. Hallmarked Moscow, circa 1908-1917, and with the Cyrillic maker’s marks for the firm P. I. Olovyanishnikov and Sons, and 84 silver standard. 9.75 inches x 6.75 inches (25 x 17 cm).

Price Realized: $8,125.00

AN INTERESTING SIGNED RUSSIAN ICON OF THE KAZAN MOTHER OF GOD, A. PONIKOVSKI, MOSCOW, 1908-1917.  Naturalistically painted against a moss green ground and signed by the iconographer on the panel lower right in Cyrillic script “A. Ponikovski.” The borders overlaid with a finely crafted silver-gilt and repoussé riza in the Neo-Russian style hallmarked Moscow, circa 1908-1917, Cyrillic maker's mark “CГ,” and 84 silver standard. The verso covered in velvet. 12.4 inches x 10.5 inches (31.5 x 26.5 cm).

Price Realized: $16,250.00

AN ATTRACTIVE RUSSIAN ICON OF CHRIST, LATE 19TH CENTURY IN THE 15TH CENTURY RENAISSANCE STYLE.  Overlaid with 17th century repoussé basma and with a halo from the first part of the 20th century in the 15th century style. 11.2 inches x 9.75 inches (28.5 x 25 cm).

Price Realized: $10,000.00

A RUSSIAN ICON OF THE TRANSFIGURATION, FIRST ARTEL, MOSCOW, 1908-1917.  Here Christ is depicted atop Mt. Tabor, the Prophet Elijah is on the left, and on the right Moses, below are the awestruck Apostles Peter, John, and James, each identified by the inscriptions above their haloes. The highly stylized hills and graduated blue background all suggest a painter trained in the village of Mstera. Overlaid with an Art Nouveau-style silver repoussé riza, hallmarked Moscow, circa 1908-1917, maker's mark of the First Artel, and 84 silver standard. 12 inches x 10.25 inches (30.5 x 26 cm).

Price Realized: $31,250.00

A RUSSIAN ICON OF SAINT NICHOLAS, MOSCOW, DATED 1894. Traditionally rendered and overlaid with an ornate silver-gilt, repoussé, and chased riza with cloisonné enameled halo, corners, and title plaques. Hallmarked Moscow, dated 1894, and with Cyrillic maker's mark "D.SH," probably for Dimitri Maksimovich Shelaputin. 12.5 inches x 11 inches (32 x 28 cm).

Passed

A FINE RUSSIAN ICON OF CHRIST, MOSCOW, DATED 1894. Here Christ is depicted delivering a blessing and holding an open book of Gospels to John 13:34:  “A New Commandment I give unto you, that ye also love one another…” This is the favored text to display on icons of Christ used in Orthodox marriage ceremonies. The entire image overlaid with a fine, gilded silver and machine-engraved riza with ornate cloisonné enameled halo and enameled Gospel text and title plaque, the corners with later added decorative enameled elements. Hallmarked Moscow, dated 1894, and with Cyrillic maker's mark "AMM" and with 84 silver standard, the verso with remnant of purple silk covering. 9 inches x 7 inches (23 x 18 cm).
8.75 inches x 7 inches

Price Realized: $4,250.00

AN INTERESTING RUSSIAN ICON OF ST. CATHERINE, MOSCOW, 1870.  Finely executed in silver-gilt and chased repoussé. Depicted in royal attire with crown holding a martyr's palm and next to the implement of her martyrdom–a spiked wheel. Her halo with champlevé enamel title identifying her as "The Holy Great Martyr Catherine." Hallmarked Moscow, dated 1870, and Cyrillic maker's mark "IE." Contained in a gilt-lined glazed shadowbox frame (kiot). The icon 4.1 inches x 3.25 inches (10.5 x 8.5 cm). Overall including kiot 7.75 inches x 6.8 inches (19.5 x 17.5 cm).

Price Realized: $2,000.00

A VERY FINE RUSSIAN PRESENTATION ICON TRIPTYCH OF THE HOLY VISAGE, MOSCOW 1908-1917.  At center an icon of the Holy Visage, the left wing with Saint Sophia and the right wing with the Archangel Mikhail. Each image overlaid with a gilded silver machine engraved riza with haloes. Beneath the central image of the face of Christ is an engraved Cyrillic dedicatory inscription which reads, "TO DEAR MIKHAIL IVANOVICH SOKOLOV IN REMEMBRANCE FROM GRATEFUL COLLEAGUES AND SUBORDINATES OF ALL THE COUNTY–JULY 1st." Hallmarked Moscow, circa 1908-1917, Cyrillic maker’s mark “SG,” and with 84 silver standard. Contained in a substantial folding polished walnut traveling case. 9.5 inches x 16.25 inches (24 x 41.2 cm) open.

Price Realized: $12,500.00

A RUSSIAN ICON OF CHRIST, MOSCOW, 1908-1917.  Realistically painted and overlaid with machine-engraved riza, applied halo, and enamel title plaques. Hallmarked Moscow, circa 1908-1917, and indistinguishable Cyrillic maker's mark. Contained in a glazed shadow box frame (kiot). The icon 8.75 inches x 7 inches (22.5 x 18 cm). Overall 11.75 inches x 10 inches (30 x 25 cm).

Price Realized: $1,063.00

A VERY FINE RUSSIAN ICON OF THE RESURRECTION AND FEAST DAYS, PALEKH, CIRCA 1840. Very finely painted in the miniature technique. At center a complex rendering of the Descent into Hades and Resurrection with related scenes, surrounded by 12 other images each representing one of the major church Feast Days, and each identified by its corresponding inscription. The corners painted with the Four Evangelists. The overall palette and characteristic Palekh landscapes and clouds clearly convey the origins of this icon as being from the small village northeast of Moscow, which specialized in icon painting. In exceedingly excellent condition, retaining the original varnish coat and with no paint loss or restoration. The entire image overlaid with a gilded-silver, repoussé, and chased riza. Hallmarked Moscow, dated 1842, and with Cyrillic maker's marks "I.F.," probably for Ivan Ivanovich Futikin. 12.4 inches x 10.3 inches (31.4 x 26.5 cm).

Passed

A LARGE RUSSIAN OLD BELIEVERS ICON ST. JOHN THE FORERUNNER WITH SAINTS, MOSCOW, CIRCA 1860.  At top center along the upper margin, an image of the Holy Visage and below a gathering of five saints. At center St. John the Forerunner and around him, St. Nikolai, St. Vasily, the Holy Martyr St. Alexandra, and St. Gregoriy. Overlaid with a substantial silver repoussé and chased riza with attached haloes. Hallmarked Moscow, dated 1860, Cyrillic maker's mark V.K., and 84 silver standard. 17.75 inches x 15 inches (45 x 38 cm).

Price Realized: $3,000.00

A FINE RUSSIAN ICON OF THE UNBURNT THORNBUSH MOTHER OF GOD, OVCHINNIKOV.  A finely and fully painted image overlaid with a finely crafted repoussé and chased gilded silver riza, hallmarked Moscow, dated 1867, and with Cyrillic maker’s mark “О.П,” for Pavel Ovchinnikov. Verso of icon with handwritten inscription describing what type of riza to produce. 10.6 inches x 9 inches (27 x 23 cm). Contained in a glazed karelian birch shadow box frame Киот (kiot). Overall size including kiot 12.5 inches x 10.75 inches (32 x 27.5 cm).

Price Realized: $5,250.00

A RUSSIAN ICON OF ST. NICHOLAS, FIRST HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY. Traditionally depicted as a Bishop, holding a book of Gospels, and delivering a blessing. The left border with the Holy Martyr Elena and the right border with the Holy Martyr Natalia, overlaid with an impressive silver, repoussé, and chased riza with attached gilded halo, hallmarked St. Petersburg, dated 1837, with Cyrillic maker's mark "VI," and 84 silver standard. 13.75 inches x 11.25 inches (35 x 28.5 cm).

Price Realized: $1,375.00

A LARGE AND IMPRESSIVE RUSSIAN ICON OF THE RESURRECTION AND DESCENT WITH FEASTS DAYS, CIRCA 1800.  The central reserve depicting at top the resurrected Christ above His empty tomb and below the Descent into Hades each surrounded by related scenes. The margins painted with scenes representative of the 12 major church feast days and each with corresponding inscriptions identifying the subjects. The left border from top to bottom with the Archangel Mikhail, the Apostle James, and St. Paraskeva and the right border with the Three Hierarchs. The entire icon overlaid with an impressive gilded silver, repoussed and chased riza with filigree and paste stone embellishments. Hallmarked St. Petersburg, dated 1862, stamped with Cyrillic maker’s mark "A. SOKOLOV," and 84 standard. 21.25 inches x 17.5 inches (54 x 44.5 cm). Total weight of riza 47.45 troy oz.

Price Realized: $6,250.00

A LARGE AND IMPRESSIVE ICON OF THE LAST SUPPER, CIRCLE OF VICTOR VASNETSOV (1848-1926), CIRCA 1890. The тайная (Mystic) вечеря (Supper) is the Last Supper, the meal, recorded in chapter 22 of the Gospel of St. Luke and elsewhere. At center Christ is shown giving thanks and blessing the wine and bread before him. He is surrounded by His 12 disciples all of whom have a halo around their head with the exception of Judas (lower left) who also clutches a money bag in his right hand. The icon is painted on a metal (probably copper) support and contained in an ornate repoussé gilt metal frame with cloisonné enameled decorative elements executed in the Neo-Russian style which borrowed heavily from traditional Byzantine art and architecture. The as yet identified artist was, without question, familiar with the works of Vasnetsov and the work flowing out of the Abramtsevo Colony northeast of Moscow which Vasnetsov was instrumental in developing. The large size and ornate frame would strongly suggest that the offered lot was once part of an elaborate iconostasis in a significant church and possibly above the Royal Doors as this subject was commonly placed in that location. Overall size including frame, 28 inches x 38.25 inches (71 x 96.5 cm).

Price Realized: $262,500.00