Icon - Stavrotek icon - Wood, Bronze, Enamel

An exceptionally large, heavy, and museum-grade Russian Stavrotek icon from the mid-19th century. Originating from the Atelier of the Old Believers. This monumental panel is in an extraordinarily perfect condition and has an impressive weight of 5 kg. The solid wooden panel combines refined egg-tempera painting with inlaid, high-quality elements of copper alloy and bronze, richly adorned with the characteristic and highly sought-after bright blue enamel. Upper section (paintings) Left: the Nativity of the Mother of God, in the middle the Nativity of John the Baptist Central focal point (right): A large, razor-sharp cast eight-point Orthodox cross with the Crucifixion of Christ, the skull of Adam at Golgotha, and the grieving figures of the Mother of God, Mary Magdalene, John the Theologian, and others on the flanks. Around the cross are the Deposition and the Entombment skillfully painted on the wood. Lower left and middle section (Bronze & Enamel): A splendidly preserved triptych (travel icon) forming together the Deesis (Mary, Christ Pantocrator, and John the Baptist with wings) and a separate bronze plaque of Saint Nicholas of Myra. Lower left corner: a large, rare fragile plaque of the Archangel Michael as leader of the heavenly army, surrounded by 16 detailed saintly medallions. Condition: For an icon of this size and age, the state is exceptionally good. The panel is perfectly plumb, which is unique given the heavy metal inlays. On the back are two original, sunken wooden crossbars (sponki). The wood is sound and shows no active wood-borer damage. Belgium / Netherlands private possession.

Estimate:£716.7

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