Lot 66
Greece, ca. late 17th to 18th century CE. Hand-painted with egg tempera on wood, an icon depicting The Sainted Metropolitans of Moscow, Intercessors for All of Russia, each wearing colorful stoles of blue, gold, or white that are adorned with crosses as well as three marks at the bottom which signify the office of bishop. Peter and Alexis wear klobuk and Jonah and Philip wear miters adorned with jewels. Above them is the Holy Face on a cloth. Size (icon): 9.6" W x 12.25" H (24.4 cm x 31.1 cm); (frame): 18.25" W x 20.8" H (46.4 cm x 52.8 cm)
The metropolitan was originally the highest office in the Russian Orthodox Church. Although Byzantine emperors were esteemed for their theocratic ideals, Russian princes derived their holiness from their military prowess. Alexander Nevskii (1220-1263), for example, was among the first princes to fight for the freedoms of Holy Russia; he battled the Tatars, the Swedes, as well as the Teutonic knights. Saints Peter (metropolitan from 1308 to 1326), Alexis (1354-78), Jonah (1449-61), and Philip (1566-69) were the four great Russian hierarchs and metropolitans from Moscow.
Icons (icon means "image" in Greek) are sacred objects within the Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition. Found in homes as well as churches, these painted images depict holy persons and saints as well as illustrate scenes from the Scriptures. Icons are not worshiped, but are instead venerated for their ability to focus the power of an individual's prayer to God. As such they are regarded as "windows into heaven."
Provenance: ex-Komer Gallery, New York, New York, USA, acquired circa 1965
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#155457
- Condition: Losses to some top and peripheral areas as shown, with fissures to egg tempera, fading to pigmentation and light encrustations. Nice remains of original pigmentation and great craquelure. Receipt on verso written in Greek.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Shipping
Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense
Artemis Fine Arts
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 24.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |