Lot 12
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LARGE & IMPORTANT RUSSIAN PROCESSIONAL ICON, C. 1890. Comprising a large and important processional icon depicting the Petersburg Kazan Mother of God (казанская петербургская) and the Petersburg image of the Savior Not Made By Hands. Both images represent perhaps the most well-known and venerated icons of pre-revolutionary St. Petersburg. The thick and heavy shaped wood panel heavily gilded and ornately incised and painted to simulate cloisonné enamel. Additionally, each image is painted in such a way as to reflect the original icon as contained in its ornately decorated, gem encrusted oklad. The base of icon would need to be drilled with receptacle hole to accommodate a handle or pole for procession. Icons such as the offered lot were often used in large outdoor religious processions. Often one encounters much smaller examples of individual icons depicting either subject which were readily available for pilgrims to acquire at each shire usually at a small kiosk near the entrance of each cathedral. 34.25 inches x 23 inches (87 x 58.5cm).
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
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Price Realized: $5,750.00
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The Petersburg Kazan Mother of God icon was based on the prototype in Moscow by order of Peter the Great. At the beginning of the 18th century, it was first placed in a temple chapel located not far from Peter's house. After his death, it was transferred to the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin located on Nevsky prospect. When Tsar Paul I went on a trip to Europe, he was captivated by the sight of the Cathedral of St. Peter in Rome, and he wished to create something similar for St. Petersburg. However, Paul was soon killed, although his plan was eventually realized under his son Alexander I with the cathedral being completed in 1811. At that time the Petersburg Kazan mother of God icon was enshrined there in a place of honor where it received continual veneration. In the words of Archpriest Alexander Pashkov, "Every day we see long lines of people waiting to pray before the icon. Regardless of the time of year, weather conditions, people of different ages, social statuses, and nationalities go to the Mother of God with their requests. What each of them asks, only the Queen of Heaven knows. Everyone comes to her and receives both comfort and consolation." The icon remained in the cathedral up until the 1930's after which time it was transferred to the Cathedral of Prince Vladimir and the Kazan cathedral was transformed into the Museum of the History of Religion and Atheism. During the Soviet period, the gold oklad had been stolen leaving only the original bullion embroidered riza embellished with gemstones. At the end of the 20th century, it was once again enshrined in the Kazan Cathedral. Using vintage photographs, in the year 2020 the oklad was restored to its original configuration and can be viewed there today.
According to tradition, the Petersburg icon of the Savior Not Made by Hands, was gifted to Peter the Great by his mother. It was originally enshrined in a chapel located near Peter's house. The icon is said to have accompanied Peter I on military campaigns and was in the chambers at his death. The image was one of the most revered in the northern capital, and the words "go to the Savior" were clear to all the residents of the city. The icon was so popular among the townspeople that crossings were specially organized, and for 2 kopecks people were taken to the other side of the Neva so that they could get to the chapel in Peter's House. When the chapel was closed by the authorities, the image was transferred to the Transfiguration Cathedral in 1930, where it can still be viewed today.
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