Post Byzantine Triptych Centre Icon of the Intercession
17th-19th century A.D. A central plaque from a brass triptych with standing nimbate Mother of God, dressed in a chlamys and tunica talaris, with her arms extended outward and the head turned to the right, surrounded by two groups of worshippers, arranged in three rows: the angels at the top, the right ones at the centre and prophets with angels at the bottom; two flags flying horizontally on each side of her head, surrounded by plant decorations, while the sun and moon are depicted at the two corners of the plaque, separated by an inscription in Russian; in the upper part, in the shape of an eastern dome, is represented the Holy Trinity, Father and Son, seated on a throne of clouds, a cross in the middle surmounted by a dove. See Ahlborn, R.E. & Beaver-Bricken Espinola, Russian Copper Icons and Crosses from the Kunz Collection: Castings of Faith, Washington, 1991, nos.51, p.49, 55, p.80. 142 grams, 13 cm high (5 1/8 in.). Acquired on the UK art market, 2000s.Property of an Essex gentleman. The icon represents the Intercession of Mary, 'Joy of all who sorrow'. It formed the central part of a triptych with the Mother of God at the centre, surmounted by iconography of veneration. The (here missing) other parts of the triptych were embossed with scenes of the lives of Christ or Mary. [No Reserve]