Lot 130A
Eastern Europe, Russia, ca. mid-19th century CE. An impressive Feast Cycle icon comprised of twelve feast paintings surrounding the central theme, the Resurrection, regarded as the "feast of all feasts," which is celebrated not only on Easter Sunday, but every Sunday, the entire composition finely painted in egg tempera on wood in vivid jewel tones, the sacred figures with gilded halos. Further adorning this icon is a golden brass oklad engraved so as to label each feast day, and embellished with an ivy vine motif in repousse as well as a raised border of beaded and twisted rope motifs punctuated by an ovalo variant. Size: 17.5" W x 21" H (44.4 cm x 53.3 cm)
The oklad or riza, sometimes referred to as a revetment in English, is a metal cover (made of silver, bronze, gilded silver, or brass, as we see in this example) that not only protects the icon, but also serves to honor or venerate the figure(s) depicted on the icon. Oklads are usually adorned with repousse work and pierced to reveal elements of the underlying painting, in this case the various feast day images within every niche.
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. Some icons are encased in precious metal covers (oklads) like this example or glass-fronted wooden cases (kiots). 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 truly "windows into heaven."
Provenance: ex-Francis and Lilly Robicsek collection, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
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#119509
- Condition: Oklad shows minor bending and areas of light green patina, some pierce marks with missing nails. Painted images show some areas of discoloration and craquelure commensurate with age. Age cracks on verso with wear and slight loss to peripheries. Old perforations at peripheries as well. Certificate from Via Dolorosa, Jerusalem on verso.
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