Russian Imperial Smolensk Mother of God Icon in 84 Silver Oklad, Moscow, 1899–1908

599€

A fine Russian Imperial icon of the Smolensk Mother of God (Hodegetria), featuring carefully painted faces and hands beneath an elaborately engraved 84-standard silver oklad. The silver covering bears Moscow assay marks associated with Ivan Lebedkin (1899–1908) and a maker’s mark “AZ” in Cyrillic.

Origin: Russian Empire, Moscow
Date: 1899–1908 (silver oklad)
Silver: 84 zolotnik (875/1000)
Maker’s mark: AZ (Cyrillic)
Dimensions: 18 × 14.5 × 3 cm

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Description

Russian Imperial Smolensk Mother of God Icon in 84 Silver Oklad, Moscow, 1899–1908

An attractive Russian Orthodox icon depicting the Smolensk Mother of God, an important variation of the Byzantine Hodegetria (“She Who Shows the Way”) iconographic type.

The Virgin Mary is portrayed holding the Christ Child on her left arm while indicating Him with her right hand. Christ is shown blessing with His right hand, with His left hand resting against His chest. Their delicately painted faces and hands are visible through the openings in the silver covering.

The icon is distinguished by its decorative 84-standard silver oklad, which covers much of the composition while leaving the principal painted features exposed. The garments are enhanced by finely engraved floral and geometric ornament. Both figures have prominently shaped halos with radiating decorative borders, and the entire composition is framed by an elaborate repeating ornamental band.

The Smolensk Mother of God is one of the most revered Marian images in Russian Orthodox tradition. Derived from the Byzantine Hodegetria, the composition symbolically presents Christ as the way to salvation.

SILVER HALLMARKS

The oklad bears Russian Imperial silver hallmarks associated with the Moscow Assay Office under Ivan Sergeyevich Lebedkin, whose marks were used between 1899 and 1908.

The silver is marked with the traditional Russian 84-zolotnik standard, equivalent to 875/1000 fineness.

A separate maker’s mark “АЗ” (AZ in Cyrillic) is also present. The precise identity of this silversmith has not been established.

DATE AND ORIGIN

Russian Empire, Moscow.
Silver oklad: 1899–1908.
The exact date of the painted icon panel has not been independently established.

DIMENSIONS

Height: 18 cm
Width: 14.5 cm
Depth: 3 cm

CONDITION

Antique condition with age-related wear, tarnishing, scratches and areas of surface loss to the silver oklad, especially around the halos. The painted faces and hands remain visible. Please examine the photographs carefully, as they form part of the description.

A distinctive small-format Russian Orthodox icon combining traditional religious painting with the craftsmanship of Moscow’s Imperial silver workshops.