Lot 145
Russia, ca. 1805 CE. Expertly delineated in egg tempera and gold leaf with a fine silver oklad presenting hallmarks attributing it to the metalsmith A. Yaskinov of St. Petersburg (see below), a beautiful icon depicting St. Nicholas of Myra, the Wonderworker, a faithful shepherd and bishop who was bestowed the title of saint even before his death due to his immense holiness and watchful care of his flock, flanked by apparitions of Christ and the Virgin Mary (see discussion of their relationship to St. Nicholas below). The silver frame is intricately decorated with an inner composition comprised of an incised floral ground, and in repousse, a city model and sword in the saint's hands (these rather than his standard attribute of the Gospel, as this icon presents the Mozhaisk image - see below), roundels with Christ and the Virgin Mary, and the landscape below. St. Nicholas's halo is beautifully detailed with a raised nimbus incised with leaves, and surrounded by meticulously cut rays. This inner scene is outlined with a beaded border. The surrounding floral border is in turn trimmed by a leafy border. Size: 8.75" W x 10.25" H (22.2 cm x 26 cm)
The bottom folded border is stamped with A. Yashinov's maker's mark of "A" and a reversed "R", an assay of 84 (sterling), the year 1807, as well as the St. Petersburg hallmark. Alexsandr Ilyich Yashinov was an active silversmith from 1795 to 1826. His work displays expert technique and the utmost artistry. Saint Nicholas was a strong opponent of the heretical Bishop Arius at the Council of Nicaea; after slapping Arius in the face, Nicholas was stripped of his holy insignia and tossed in jail. However, Christ and the Virgin appeared to him and gave him back his freedom and his episcopal office. Here shown with a serious countenance, a high furrowed forehead, concentrating eyes framed by arched brows, and a short, gray beard, Saint Nicholas is portrayed as a staunch champion of the Christian faith, a defender against heresy, and a healer. He holds a sword and model of a city, because this is the Mozhaisk image of St. Nicholas (Nikola Nozhaiskii in Russian). It invokes a legendary incident in which Nicholas appeared from heaven to defend the city of Mozhaisk, in what is now the Moscow region. This is represented by the sword, and his other hand holds a representation of the city. The visage is painted with impressive naturalism, his vestments of rich jewel tone hues, intricately patterned, and fairly flat, making for strong contrasts between the modeled head and hands and the relatively flat clothing and surrounding silver oklad. A marvelous icon of the Mozhaisk image of St. Nicholas, the memorable archbishop of southern Asia Minor in the 4th century who inspired Santa Claus legends and imagery!
Provenance: Ex-Francis & Lilly Robicsek Collection, Charlotte, North Carolina USA; an old Sotheby's label on the back; an old inventory label with handwritten "Russian Icon Circa 1805 bought in Helsinki, Finland", another label with handwritten "St. Petersburg A. Yakkinov - 1807", and "No. 81"
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#119493
- Condition: Verso shows age cracks and old repair (see old decorative nail hammered to side). Some loss to wood evident near border of oklad on that side. On the back are an old Sotheby's label, an old inventory label with handwritten "Russian Icon Circa 1805 bought in Helsinki, Finland", another label with handwritten "St. Petersburg A. Yakkinov - 1807", and "No. 81" and another handwritten inscription directly on the wood.
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