Jewelry, 1995 Ford Mustang & Fine Art Multi Platform
Lot 420:
Description
This lot consists of two Russian Orthodox cast brass travel icons (plaquettes) dating to the 19th century. The larger icon depicts the Mother of God Strastnaya (Our Lady of the Passion). The central image shows the Virgin holding the Christ Child, who turns His head toward two archangels in the upper corners bearing the instruments of the Passion: the Holy Cross, the spear, and the sponge. The icon is surmounted by an ornate openwork crest featuring three seraphim. It contains several Cyrillic inscriptions, including MP OY (МР ΘΥ – Mater Theou, Mother of God) and abbreviations for Archangels Michael and Gabriel. The reverse features an incised square mark containing a character that may be the letter G or the Cyrillic letter S (С), along with two vintage paper labels, one inscribed MADONNA OF THE PASSION. The smaller icon depicts the Virgin and Child in the Hodegetria style, surmounted by a small crest featuring the Image Not Made by Hands (Mandylion). The background is decorated with polychrome enamel in shades of light blue, dark blue, green, and white. It bears raised Cyrillic plaques reading MP OY (МР ΘΥ – Mother of God) and IC XC (IС ХС – Iesous Christos, Jesus Christ). Both items are cast from brass and exhibit an aged patina.
Larger icon: 4 inches (H) x 2.75 inches (W)
Smaller icon: 2.125 inches (H) x 1.75 inches (W).
Both icons show signs of age and use consistent with 19th-century metalwork. The larger icon has an aged brass patina with visible green verdigris and white mineral residue in the deep recesses of the casting. The smaller icon shows wear to the enamel, including pitting and small losses near the edges, and the brass surface has some dulling and oxidation. Both items are structurally sound with no visible cracks or previous repairs.
Condition report:
Both icons show signs of age and use consistent with 19th-century metalwork. The larger icon has an aged brass patina with visible green verdigris and white mineral residue in the deep recesses of the casting. The smaller icon shows wear to the enamel, including pitting and small losses near the edges, and the brass surface has some dulling and oxidation. Both items are structurally sound with no visible cracks or previous repairs.
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