132 - Russian icon depicting the Mother of God of Kazan with a riza—20th century

Russian icon depicting the Mother of God of Kazan with a riza—20th century Tempera on panel with a riza Height x width x depth: 28.5 x 24 x 6 cm (including display case) Icon depicting the Mother of God of Kazan (Kazanskaya Bogomater), one of the most venerated Marian images in the Russian Orthodox tradition, regarded as the protector of the Russian people and a powerful symbol of the Virgin’s intercession.The painted surface is almost entirely covered by a gilded metal riza, crafted using repoussé and chased techniques, leaving only the faces and hands of the Virgin and the Christ Child visible. The Mother of God is depicted in half-length, with her head gently inclined toward her Son and her gaze directed outward toward the viewer, following the traditional iconographic scheme of the Kazan Mother of God. The Christ Child, shown in full face and seated on His Mother’s left arm, raises His right hand in blessing while holding the scroll of the Holy Scriptures in His left, symbolizing His role as the Incarnate Word.The riza is distinguished by its rich ornamental decoration, created using repoussé and chasing techniques, featuring broad, radiant halos, floral motifs, and geometric patterns that enhance the overall brilliance of the composition. Along the lower border are identifying inscriptions in Cyrillic characters, while the exposed painted areas reveal a carefully executed composition with delicately rendered flesh tones.The iconography of the Mother of God of Kazan originated from the miraculous icon discovered in 1579 in the city of Kazan and became one of the most widespread subjects of Orthodox Marian devotion. Throughout the twentieth century, this type of icon continued to be produced extensively according to the traditional models of Russian icon painting, frequently adorned with decorative metal frames intended for both private devotion and domestic shrines. The icon is housed in a stained wooden display case with a glass front door, designed to protect the work and most likely intended for private domestic devotion. Item condition rating: **** good. The lot is in good condition, with normal wear and defects commensurate with its age and use over time. The gilded metal riza retains its original structure and exhibits a natural patina of oxidation across the metal surface, accompanied by widespread abrasions, areas of wear, and losses of the original gilding—all consistent with the object’s age and devotional use. The faces and hands, left exposed by the metal covering, retain good legibility of the original painted surface.The stained wooden display case shows evident signs of use, including abrasions to the finish, cracks, minor losses, structural imperfections, and localized losses along the edges and inner frame. There are additional chips and surface damage to the casing, along with normal signs of age. Overall, the work is in fair general condition, exhibiting defects and losses consistent with its age and long-standing devotional function.