Lot 0182
Russian Icon “John The Evangelist”
Estimate: 3000-3500€
Icon “John the Evangelist”
Yaroslavl, late 18th century
Tempera on wood, gesso, gold leaf and melted gold
Riza: silver (84 zolotniks), gilding, chasing
Moscow, 1814, maker’s mark AG
Dimensions: 33 × 28 × 4.5 cm
Riza weight: 349.5 g
This refined icon depicts Saint John the Evangelist, portrayed in deep reflection as he writes the Gospel under the guidance of an angel. The composition is filled with warmth and psychological depth, characteristic of the Yaroslavl School of the 18th century — one of the most expressive traditions of Russian icon painting.
The Yaroslavl school emerged in the 16th–17th centuries during a period of artistic flourishing. Many of its painters came from artisan backgrounds, which shaped their unique visual language: soft color transitions, emotional faces, and lively gestures. Unlike the austere icons of earlier centuries, Yaroslavl works combined devotion with a deeply human sensibility.
By the 17th century, Yaroslavl had become a major center of iconography. Its artists contributed to the decoration of key cathedrals, including the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin and the Church of Elijah the Prophet in Yaroslavl. Despite the growing influence of Western art, Yaroslavl icon painters preserved traditional techniques and aesthetics well into the 19th century.
The silver-gilt riza in classicism style, crafted in Moscow in 1814, enhances the sacred image with delicate gilding and chased ornamentation, highlighting the saint’s spiritual authority and contemplative grace.
Starting price: 2500€
Estimate: 3000-3500€
Hammer Price: UNSOLD€
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Lot 0184
Ovchinnikov. Fine Russian Silver-Gilt and Cloissone Enamel Travel Icon of St. Vladimir
Estimate: 7000-9000€
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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€
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Lot 0181
Sazikov. Icon “Saint Martyr Sophia” in Silver-Gild and Champleve Enamel Oklad
Estimate: 5000-6000€
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Sazikov. Icon “Saint Martyr Sophia” in Silver-Gild and Champleve Enamel Oklad
Estimate: 5000-6000€Sazikov. Icon “Saint Martyr Sophia”
Tempera on zinc, silver-gilt oklad with cloisonné enamel and semi-precious stones
Makers mark: “Sazikov”with Imperial warrant. Moscow, 1858
Dimensions: 19.5 x 15 x 2.5 cm.
A rare Russian icon depicting Saint Martyr Sophia, shown in prayer against a mountainous landscape with ancient Rome city in the background. The figure is framed by a richly shaped silver-gilt oklad adorned with blue champlevé enamel, cabochon stones, and delicate ornamental engraving.The icon was made by the renowned Sazikov workshop, founded in 1793 by Pavel Fyodorovich Sazikov. By the mid-19th century, under Ignaty Pavlovich Sazikov, the firm had become one of Russia’s most important silversmiths and was granted the title of Court Jeweler.
The Sazikov factory was celebrated for its superb craftsmanship in church silver—icon oklads, chalices, and liturgical vessels—and for introducing advanced casting and chasing techniques inspired by European innovations. Its works adorned major cathedrals, including St. Isaac’s Cathedral in St. Petersburg.
Starting price: 4000€
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Lot 0183
Signed Russian Mstyora Icon “The Crucifixion of Our Lord Jesus Christ”
Estimate: 12000-15000€
Lot 0183
Signed Russian Mstyora Icon “The Crucifixion of Our Lord Jesus Christ”
Estimate: 12000-15000€Icon “The Crucifixion of Our Lord Jesus Christ”
Russia, Mstyora, early 20th century
Mixed technique on wood.
Painter: I. F. Medvedev
Workshop: Mstyora Educational Icon-Painting Studio of the Committee for the Guardianship of Russian Icon Painting
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The inscription on the reverse confirms that this icon was created in the Mstyora Training and Icon-Painting Workshop, founded under the auspices of the Committee for the Guardianship of Russian Icon Painting (1901–1918). The Committee, established by Count Sergey Sheremetev with support from artist Viktor Vasnetsov, sought to revive traditional Russian iconography and preserve ancient tempera techniques in opposition to mass-produced printed icons.Dimensions: 31,3 x 26,4 x 2,6 cm.
Starting price: 10000€
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Lot 0180
Russian Icon Depicting the Holy Martyrs Simon Gurias and Aviv
Estimate: 300-400€
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Russian Icon Depicting the Holy Martyrs Simon Gurias and Aviv
Estimate: 300-400€Icon of the Holy Martyrs Gurias, Samonas, and Aviv
Russia, second half of the 19th century
Tempera on wood
Dimensions: 18 × 14.8 × 2 cm.A finely painted Russian icon depicting the Holy Martyrs Gurias, Samonas, and Aviv, known as early Christian saints and patrons of faithful marriage. At the top, Christ Emmanuel appears in blessing, emphasizing the heavenly approval of the martyrs’ steadfast faith. Executed in the precise and elegant style typical of Russian provincial iconography of the late 19th century.
Starting price: 250€
Estimate: 300-400€
Hammer Price: UNSOLD€