Lot 0186
Icon “Mother of God of Chernigov”
Estimate: 3000-3500€
Icon “Mother of God of Chernigov”
Russia, late 19th century
Oil on panel, silver, gilding, enamel
Educational workshop of Pavel Ovchinnikov Factory (?), Moscow
Dimensions: 9.5 × 6.8 cm
This small travel icon depicts the Mother of God of Chernigov holding the Christ Child. The icon is enclosed in a finely crafted silver-gilt frame richly decorated with champlevé enamel in the traditional 17th-century Russian style. The reverse side features a delicate floral ornament in multicolored enamel, characteristic of the ornamental motifs revived by the Ovchinnikov workshop in the late 19th century.
The Pavel Ovchinnikov firm, founded in 1853, was one of the leading jewelry and silversmithing houses of Imperial Russia. Known for its mastery of cloisonné and champlevé enamel, the factory was the first to systematically revive ancient Russian decorative traditions. Under Ovchinnikov’s direction, the workshop became a center for artistic excellence, training craftsmen and collaborating with leading artists and architects of the time.
Starting price: 2500€
Estimate: 3000-3500€
Hammer Price: UNSOLD€
Related Lots
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Lot 0184
Ovchinnikov. Fine Russian Silver-Gilt and Cloissone Enamel Travel Icon of St. Vladimir
Estimate: 7000-9000€
Lot 0184
Ovchinnikov. Fine Russian Silver-Gilt and Cloissone Enamel Travel Icon of St. Vladimir
Estimate: 7000-9000€Ovchinnikov. A Russian Silver-Gilt and Cloisonné Enamel Travel Icon of St. Vladimir
Maker’s mark “PO”. Moscow, 1899–1908
Silver (84 zolotniks), gilt, cloisonné enamel, polychrome en-plein enamel
Dimensions (with hanger): 10 × 6.3 cm
Weight: 84 gThis finely crafted travel icon depicts St. Vladimir, the Baptizer of Rus’, rendered in enoplein polychrome enamels within an ornate silver-gilt frame. The saint is shown crowned, holding a red cross in his right hand and a sword in his left, symbolizing both his royal authority and his spiritual mission. Above, on the suspension loop, appears the Mandylion—the image of Christ.
The piece was made by the celebrated Moscow workshop of Pavel Akimovich Ovchinnikov, one of the leading jewelers of the Russian Empire. Founded in 1853, Ovchinnikov’s firm was the first in Russia to produce works in the Old Russian style, reviving medieval decorative traditions through cloisonné enamel and filigree.
Renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship and artistry, the Ovchinnikov factory collaborated with prominent Russian artists and architects such as Ippolit Monighetti, Alexander Opekushin, Eugene Lanceray, and Viktor Vasnetsov. The firm supplied the Imperial Court and the Orthodox Church with liturgical items, including altar Gospels, processional crosses, icon covers, chalices, and censers, achieving the highest artistic standards of its time.
Comparable examples:
Sotheby’s, Russian Works of Art, Fabergé & Icons, London, June 2014, lot 507
https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2014/russian-works-art-faberge-icons-l14116/lot.507.html
Christie’s, Russian Works of Art, Fabergé and Icons, London, November 2014, lot 38 https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5896351Starting price: 6000€
Estimate: 7000-9000€
Hammer Price: UNSOLD€ -
Lot 0185
Khlebnikov. Russian Icon of Saint Panteleimon in Neo-byzantine style
Estimate: 800-1200€
Lot 0185
Khlebnikov. Russian Icon of Saint Panteleimon in Neo-byzantine style
Estimate: 800-1200€Khlebnikov. Russian icon of Saint Panteleimon in Neo-byzantine style
Silver, cloisonné enamel.
Makers mark of «I.KH» with Imperial warrant. Moscow, the end of the 19th century. Silver, cloisonné enamel (Byzantine technique)Dimensions: 10 x 8.7 x 0.3 cm.
Total weight: 70.2 g.
This icon is executed in the Byzantine enamel technique, distinguished by bright polychrome en plein surfaces, deep translucence, and precise detail. The Saint is depicted frontally, holding in the left hand a casket with medicines that resemble miraculous relics is usually depicted. The figure is adorned in richly coloured vestments with enamel in palette of yellow, blue, green, and red, framed by a finely worked nimbus with stylised spiral ornament.
The Khlebnikov firm, founded in Moscow in 1867, was one of the foremost Russian producers of silver and enamelware in the late Imperial period. Known as Supplier to the Imperial Court, the workshop gained renown for reviving and modernising ancient Russian and Byzantine decorative traditions. Its masters excelled in cloisonné enamel, producing icons, liturgical objects, tableware, and presentation pieces, many of which were exhibited at international exhibitions and awarded highest prizes.
This plaque exemplifies Khlebnikov’s interpretation of Byzantine heritage, combining medieval artistic vocabulary with the technical perfection and luxurious materials typical of Russian decorative arts at the turn of the century.Starting price: 600€
Estimate: 800-1200€
Hammer Price: 600€ -
Lot 0187
Icon “Mother of God of Kazan” Solvychegodsk (Usolye)
Estimate: 2500-3500€
Lot 0187
Icon “Mother of God of Kazan” Solvychegodsk (Usolye)
Estimate: 2500-3500€Icon “Mother of God of Kazan”
Solvychegodsk (Usolye), Northern Russia, 18th century (?).
Wood, tempera, enamel, silver filigree, pearls.
Dimensions: 8 × 7 cmThis small icon of the Mother of God of Kazan reflects the rich enamel and filigree tradition of Solvychegodsk (Usolye), a renowned center of northern Russian craftsmanship. The image of the Virgin and Child is framed by delicate silver filigree ornamentation, accented with turquoise and white enamel and pearls at the corners.
The Usolye enameling school, which flourished from the sixteenth through the eighteenth centuries, was founded by Novgorod craftsmen under the patronage of the powerful Stroganov family. Its masters perfected the art of painted enamel on copper, applying vibrant colors and intricate floral or geometric patterns that merged folk motifs with Western Baroque influences. Comaprable icon of Mother of god of Kazan (XVII century) in State Hermitage collection (Russian Enamel from the 12th to the Early 20th Century from the Collection of the State Hermitage Museum. Leningrad, 1987. P.47)
Starting price: 2000€
Estimate: 2500-3500€
Hammer Price: UNSOLD€ -
Lot 0188
Russian Travel Icon in a Silver Riza with Deesis and Saint Martyr John
Estimate: 500-600€
Lot 0188
Russian Travel Icon in a Silver Riza with Deesis and Saint Martyr John
Estimate: 500-600€Travel Icon with Deesis and Saint Martyr John
Russia, Nizhniy Novgorod, 1872
Painting on zinc, silver riza (oklad).
Dimensions: 10 × 7.2 cm
Maker’s mark of I. Udalov.This small double-sided travel icon is an exquisite example of provincial Russian metalwork from the late 19th century. The obverse depicts Saint Martyr John, framed by a finely chased silver riza that leaves the face and hands visible, their darkened tones showing the passage of time. The reverse presents the Deesis composition — Christ enthroned in the center, flanked by the Virgin Mary and St. John the Baptist in prayerful intercession.
The icon’s base is made of zinc — a practical, lightweight metal often used for travel icons. Its chased and engraved silver oklad demonstrates the restrained elegance typical of Nizhniy Novgorod silversmithing.
The maker’s mark belongs to Ivan Ivanovich Udalov (1859–1909), a master silversmith from Nizhniy Novgorod. His hallmark consisted of the initials “ИУ”. Udalov employed one master craftsman, five journeymen, and three apprentices. His workshop produced repoussé and engraved objects in silver and copper, often gilded or silvered. Known works include a reliquary (kovcheg) and an icon cover (oklad) now held in the State Historical Museum, Moscow.
Starting price: 400€
Estimate: 500-600€
Hammer Price: UNSOLD€