Lot 1

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A FINE PAIR OF RUSSIAN ICONS OF THE ANNUNCIATION, C. 1600.  Comprising a pair of icons constituting the upper section of a pair of Royal Doors or Tsar Doors (Tsarskiye Dveri), so called because the passage of the sacraments, the King of Glory, through them during the liturgy. They are situated at floor level in the center of the iconostasis. They are most often painted with the four Evangelists and at the top with the Annunciation, as in the offered lot. The BLAGOVYESHCHENIE (Annunciation of the Good News) depicts the Archangel Gabriel (left) announcing the coming birth of Christ to Mary. A fine and important set. 19.25 inches x 14.25 inches each (49 x 36cm).


Important Notice: The absence of condition information in the description does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition, a condition report is available by request.


Estimate:  $3,000 - 5,000   € 2,790 - 4,650
Price Realized: $3,750.00

Provenance

These salesroom, auction of May 18, 2010, lot #1 where sold for $25,000


For a very similar example see: Konrad Onasch and Annemarie Schnieper, Icons The Fascination and the Reality, Riverside Book Co., New York, 1997, page 190 illustrating a pair of Royal Doors exhibiting a very similar Annunciation scene and dated to around 1600.

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