126 - Christ Pantocrator with a gilded metal riza - 19th century

Christ Pantocrator with a gilded metal riza - 19th century Egg tempera on panel Height x width: 27 x 22.5 cm This work stands as a fine and solemn testament to Russian Orthodox sacred painting, centered on the iconographic canon of Christ Pantocrator (the Lord Almighty or Sovereign of Creation). The Savior is depicted in a half-length, strictly frontal, and hieratic pose. His right hand is raised toward His chest in the traditional, codified gesture of blessing according to the Eastern rite, while His left hand holds an open Book of the Gospels, presented toward the viewer. On the open pages, the famous Gospel passage is inscribed in Church Slavonic Cyrillic: “Заповедь новую даю вам...” (“A new commandment I give to you... that you love one another”). The face of Jesus, with its noble, symmetrical features, is distinguished by large, wide-open eyes that cast a calm, profound gaze directly at the viewer, emphasizing the dual divine and human nature of the Incarnate Word. The entire painted surface is embellished and protected by a sumptuous gilded metal riza, finely crafted using repoussé and chasing techniques; the decorations create a sophisticated interplay of light and volume. A large, majestic halo—featuring an engraved radiating pattern—surrounds Christ’s head and bears the traditional identifying Greek letters, inscribed within applied, four-lobed cartouches. In the lower section of the riza, set within a molded rectangular panel, is an engraved dedicatory inscription in Church Slavonic Cyrillic that formally identifies the sacred image. H.E. Most Rev. Francisco-Javier Lozano Sebastián, Titular Archbishop of Penafiel and Apostolic Nuncio Emeritus. Item condition rating: **** good. The lot is in good condition, with normal wear and defects commensurate with its age and use over time.