Russian icon, 19th century

19th century Russian icon. Assayer Viktor Vasilyevich Savinsky of Moscow, 1885.
"Virgin and Child Jesus".
Painting on wood. Silver oklad with contrasts C.K. (unknown silversmith).
Contrasts on one side and on the crown or halo. Cloth on the back with a lot of wear.
Measurements: 22 x 18 x 2 cm.
Russian icon painted in tempera on panel with chiselled and embossed silver in which the Virgin with the Infant Jesus is represented. Mary is shown with her head slightly inclined, presumably holding the Child Jesus in her arms.
The interest of this lot lies largely in the oklad, the silver plate that covers part of its surface. The tradition of decorating icons with oklad appears after the mandate of the Most Holy Ruling Synod of 1722, when it was forbidden to hang metal crosses on icons and to leave offerings in the form of coins, as this tradition had pagan roots. This applied decoration is found almost everywhere in the world, but is most widespread in Central and Eastern Europe. And in the Orthodox tradition, the manufacture of these items became a separate type of art and craft: many travellers noted with admiration in their diaries the luxury of Ukrainian and Russian shrines. The material for the specialised craftsmen was precious metals, brass, copper and even tin. The wrought-iron base was completed with semi-precious stones, reliefs, engravings, enamels, filigree, stained glass and enamels. The back was lined with soft red or purple velvet, or covered with wax. There were also embroidered oklads, in which the sturdy fabric was decorated with pearls and beads.
Oklads serve not only an aesthetic purpose, but also a practical one. Icons painted on wood suffer from candle soot, humidity, temperature fluctuations and are constantly touched by parishioners. The paint also darkens, fades, cracks, crazes and rubs off. The oklad or "curling", another term used, protects the icons from damaging effects, prolonging their lifespan.
As with icon painting, the materials used in making a decorative oklad have their own particular symbolism, which can tell a lot about the icon hidden underneath. For example, in the case of the auctioned icon, the main material, silver, symbolises purity and virtue, deliverance from sins and salvation of the soul.