The underlying icon is painted in tempera on wood and is likely to date from the 17th century. Saint Paraskeva is shown frontally, holding a cross as a symbol of her martyrdom. She is flanked above by two angels bearing crowns of glory. The image preserves the expressive intensity of post-Byzantine Balkan icon painting, with strong facial modelling, elongated forms and a solemn spiritual presence.

The icon is covered with a finely worked silver riza, executed in repoussé and chased technique. The riza is richly decorated with Baroque-style ornament, including scrolling acanthus leaves, floral corners, clouds, cartouches and two angels surrounding the saint. The silver cover frames the painted face and hands, emphasizing the sacred image while protecting the original painted surface beneath.

Saint Paraskeva, also known as Paraskevi, is widely venerated in the Orthodox Christian tradition, especially in the Balkans. She is associated with piety, steadfast faith and miraculous intercession. Icons of Saint Paraskeva were particularly revered in domestic, monastic and parish settings.

Inscriptions:
The silver cartouches identify the saint as Saint Paraskeva.

Material:
Icon: tempera on wood.
Riza: silver, repoussé and chased.

Origin:
Balkans.

Period:
Icon: 17th century.
Riza: 18th century.

Dimensions:
32 × 27 × 4.5 cm.

Weight:
Riza weight: 860 g.

Condition:
Age-related wear, oxidation and patina to the silver riza, traces of use, surface rubbing, losses and restoration to the painted icon. The wooden panel shows age cracks and structural wear. Condition is shown in the photographs.

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A Russian Orthodox icon depicting the Smolensk Mother of God, also known as the Hodegetria type, with the Mother of God holding the Christ Child close to her. The painted icon is set beneath a silver oklad, leaving the faces and hands visible.

The silver oklad is finely embossed and engraved with stylised drapery, geometric borders and ornamental corner motifs. The halo is decorated with an openwork pierced border, giving the icon a particularly refined appearance. The reverse is covered with textile.

The oklad bears Moscow assay marks for 1883, 84 zolotnik silver standard, the mark of assayer Viktor Savinkov, and the maker’s mark ЛЕГ. The maker’s mark is recorded here as read from the object; the full identification of the master is not confirmed.

Origin:
Russian Empire, Moscow.

Period:
1883.

Subject:
Smolensk Mother of God / Hodegetria.

Material:
Painted icon, silver oklad, textile backing.

Technique:
Oil painting or tempera on panel, repoussé, engraving, piercing, silver mounting.

Decoration:
Embossed and engraved silver oklad with ornamental border, stylised drapery, openwork halo and corner motifs.

Marks:
Moscow assay marks for 1883.
84 zolotnik silver standard.
Assayer Viktor Savinkov.
Maker’s mark ЛЕГ.

Dimensions:
18 × 15 × 2.5 cm.

Weight:
284 g.

Condition:
Age-related wear, patina, oxidation, rubbing, surface marks and wear to the oklad and painted areas. Textile backing with age-related staining and wear. The condition is shown in the photographs.

The post Russian Icon of the Smolensk Mother of God with Silver Oklad, Moscow, 1883 first appeared on Antique weapons, collectibles, silver, icons, bronze, swords, daggers...