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Eastern Europe, Russia, ca. 19th century CE. Finely delineated in egg tempera and gesso on wood, an icon depicting the miracle-working St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, the most widely revered saint in Eastern Orthodox Christianity, fitted with a beautiful, gilded silver oklad. Believed to possess special powers to protect the faithful, this archetypal Bishop and Saint is dressed in sumptuous episcopal vestments, with a cross adorned omophorion, giving benediction with his right hand, and holding a Gospel in his left. St. Nicholas’ golden crown and halo as well as his vestments and Gospel are meticulously detailed – note the Russian cross adorning the Gospel, the jewels on his crown, and the cascading folds of his robe. Size of oklad: 3.6″ W x 4.1″ H (9.1 cm x 10.4 cm); of frame: 8.25″ W x 9″ H (21 cm x 22.9 cm)
Nicholas, a Greek bishop of Myra, Anatolia in the 4th century and one of the most beloved saints of the church, who served as an intercessor, performing miracles of healing and rescue, has an interesting history. A strong opponent of the heretical bishop Arius at the Council of Nicaea, Nicholas, after slapping Arius in the face, was denied his holy insignia and tossed in jail. However, Christ and the Virgin appeared to him and gave him back his freedom and his episcopal office. Here shown with a serious countenance, a high furrowed forehead, concentrating eyes framed by arched brows, and a short, gray beard, Saint Nicholas is portrayed as a staunch champion of the Christian faith, a defender against heresy, and a healer.
The oklad (also spelled oclad) or riza, sometimes referred to as a revetment in English, is a metal cover that not only protects the icon, but also serves to honor or venerate the figure(s) depicted on the icon. Oklads are usually adorned with skillfully cut, engraved, and/or repousse work and pierced to reveal elements of the underlying painting.
Icons (icon means “image” in Greek) are sacred objects within the Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition. Found in homes as well as churches, these painted images depict holy persons and saints as well as illustrate scenes from the Scriptures. Icons are not worshiped, but are instead venerated for their ability to focus the power of an individual’s prayer to God. As a focus for prayers and meditation for believers, icons serve as “windows into heaven.”
Condition: Some light scratches and abrasions to oklad and minor chipping to pigments. Otherwise, intact and very nice with great remaining pigments and rich patina in areas. Fit in modern velvet matte and wood frame with areas of loss to velvet, nicks to wood frame, and tearing to gallery paper on verso. Suspension wire on verso for display.
Provenance: private Rancho Mirage, California, USA collection, by inheritance in 2020; ex-Dr. TDR Berreth, California, USA, acquired before 1982
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