Lot 126
Eastern Europe, Russia, ca. 19th century CE. Finely painted in egg tempera and gesso on wood and covered with a beautiful brass oklad (riza or oklad, literally meaning trimming), an icon of Christ Pantokrator, Lord of the Universe, holding an open holy Gospel in his left hand, the fingers of his right hand giving benediction, arranged to form the initials of Christ's monogram, IC XC T. The oklad embellishes the image with a meticulously cut nimbus with radiating rays of light delineated in repousse, the folds of His robes also delineated in repousse, the open Gospel, and a floral border. Size: 5.6" W x 6.95" H (14.2 cm x 17.7 cm)
The oklad or riza, sometimes referred to as a revetment in English, is a metal cover, in this case brass, 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. This artisan truly knew how to bring brass to life in a manner that both complements and uplifts the painted image.
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, like this example, are encased in metal covers (oklads). 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: private J.H. collection, Beaverton, Oregon, USA
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#154786
- Condition: Slight bending to metal edges, with rich patina on brass surface. Small nicks to icon surface but these do not obscure the artwork. The cloth on the back of the icon is mostly lost, revealing the wood underneath.
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