Live Auction 15500Important Russian Art
A SILVER-GILT CLOISONNÉ AND CHAMPLEVÉ ENAMEL ICON OF ST NESTOR
Lot 294

A SILVER-GILT CLOISONNÉ AND CHAMPLEVÉ ENAMEL ICON OF ST NESTOR

MARK OF ANTON CHEVARZIN, MOSCOW, 1896           

Closed26 November 2018

Price Realised

GBP 22,500

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A SILVER-GILT CLOISONNÉ AND CHAMPLEVÉ ENAMEL ICON OF ST NESTOR
MARK OF ANTON CHEVARZIN, MOSCOW, 1896           
Rectangular, realistically painted, depicting St Nestor holding a scroll and quill, the borders repoussé and finely chased with scrolling foliage, within cloisonné enamelled borders, the applied halo and corner-pieces similarly enamelled, the reverse with a label inscribed in Russian 'From Metropolitan Ioaniky / Kiev. Lavra. / 12 September 1896.', marked on lower edge
10 5/8 x 8 7/8 (27 x 22.5 cm.)

The Stephen Humble Collection.

Specialist note

The inscription on the present icon indicates that it was a gift from Metropolitan Ioaniky of Kiev (Ivan Rudnev, 1826-1900) on 12 September 1896. The icon represents St Nestor the Chronicler, whose relics are preserved in the Kiev Pechersk Lavra. It is known that Nicholas II and his wife Alexandra Feodorovna visited the Kiev Pechersk Lavra on 19 August 1896 during their visit to the city for the consecration of St Vladimir Cathedral, which was presided over by Metropolitan Ioaniky. It has been suggested that the present icon could have been a gift from the Metropolitan Ioaniky to the Imperial family, following their official visit to Kiev.