LOT 1960

Russian Bronze Travel Icon with Madonna and Child

CIRCA 18TH CENTURY A.D.

2 3/8 in. (34.3 grams, 59 mm).

Depicting the Mother of God of Kazan with the Divine Child; the head of Mary slightly turned left towards infant Jesus extending his right hand in blessing; both figures with large haloes and identifying Greek inscriptions 'ΜΡ ΘΥ' (Mother of God) and 'O Ѡ N' (I am); three flowers in the nimbus of the Virgin; knop at the top for the suspension. [No Reserve]

Acquired from Chris Martin-Zakheim, Iconastas, 5 Piccadilly Arcade, London SW1.
From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s.

Cf. Eighme Ahlborn, R., Beaver-Bricken Espinola, V., Russian Copper Icons and crosses from the Kunz Collection: Castings of Faith, Washington, 1991, nos.25819.078, p.50, for similar iconography.

The original icon prototype of these smaller icons, also known as the Theotokos of Kazan, is thought to have originated in Constantinople in the 13th century before it was taken to Russia. When the Turks took over Kazan in 1438, the icon was most probably hidden to keep it safe. Ivan the Terrible liberated Kazan in 1552, and the town was destroyed by fire in 1579, after which the icon was found and brought to the Church of Saint Nicholas. It was subsequently stolen in 1904 and never found again, though there are many copies in existence.