Auction 131: Our Highlights

(Russia, late 19th century [Icon], Russia, Moscow, Pavel Ovchinnikov, 1896 [Oklad])

Wooden panel with two sponki on the reverse, velvet cover on the reverse | Egg tempera | Gilt silver oklad, enamel, pearl trimming | 27 x 22.3 cm | Hallmarked with master’s mark and master’s mark ‘P. OWTSCHINNIKOW’ in Cyrillic | Minor loss of substance.

(Russia, Novgorod, around 1470/1480)

The depiction emphasises Christ’s victory over death and his role as the saviour of mankind. Stylistically, it resembles five icons in the Novgorod Museum. The icons were originally in the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in the village of Volotovo near Novgorod, which was built in 1352. After the Russian Revolution of 1917, attitudes towards religious icons changed and many were confiscated and sold on. The exact history of this icon after 1917 is unclear, but it is assumed that it was taken abroad in the 1920s.

Composite of two boards with two sponki on the reverse | Kowtscheg, canvas, egg tempera on chalk ground | gilding | 89.3 x 57.9 cm

(Russia, Moscow/Vologda, Jermolaj and Jakov Sergeev and Petr Semjonow, 1682)

The icon shows three angels around a laid table, Abraham and Sarah, and a servant slaughtering a calf. The upper half depicts the arrival of the angels, the washing of the feet and parting. The icon painting is richly decorated, partially gilded and bears a detailed inscription on the story. It names the patron, Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, and describes the consecration of the church. The icon painters Jermolaj, Jakov Sergeew and Pjotr Semjonow created the work in 1682 and it represents an important piece of religious art from the 17th century in Russia.

Composite of several boards | egg tempera on chalk ground | partial gilding | 108 x 78 cm

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