131 - Mother of God of Kazan (Kazanskaja) with silver riza - 19th century

Mother of God of Kazan (Kazanskaja) with silver riza - 19th century Egg tempera on panel Height x width: 29.5 x 25 cm Here, it is embellished by a sumptuous and imposing metal riza (revetment), executed in repoussé with an exceptional sculptural impact. The composition adheres strictly to the miraculous archetype that appeared in 1579—a close variant of the *Hodegetria* type: the Virgin is depicted in a half-length, near three-quarter view, her head inclined markedly toward the Divine Infant. The Child is shown in an upright, frontal position—visible down to the knees—raising His right hand in a solemn gesture of blessing toward the faithful.The entire piece is encased in a monumental metal riza (oklad)—crafted from solid silver with extensive selective gilding on the haloes—which demonstrates the extraordinary skill of 19th-century Russian goldsmiths in the techniques of repoussé, chasing, and punching. The metal covering masterfully defines the rigid, geometric folds of the Virgin’s maphorion (mantle), which is adorned throughout with exquisite raised vegetal scrolls and floral motifs. The visual and devotional focal point of the work lies in the monumental, interconnected, and openwork haloes; these are finely executed in repoussé with a radiating design, featuring petal-like patterns and beaded detailing that reflect a refined Neo-Byzantine aesthetic. The thick outer border—richly embossed with Baroque-style volutes and scrolls—incorporates, in its two upper corners, elegant ovoid medallions bearing sacred monograms in repoussé relief, while the center of the lower border features an elaborate cartouche containing an inscription that identifies the subject. Beneath the sumptuous silver riza (metal cover), the faces and hands of the Virgin and Child emerge through specially crafted openings (podolozhnik). The flesh tones—rendered in tempera according to traditional canons—feature deep, saturated brown hues (sankir) with pronounced shading, imbuing the sacred faces with an expression of extraordinary mystical intensity and ascetic severity; these tones are partially darkened by the natural oxidation of the original protective varnishes (olifa). The piece is in an excellent, authentic state of preservation: the metal riza retains all its original relief work, along with a magnificent, aged patina that enhances its three-dimensional quality. It shows only minor, localized natural oxidation and subtle signs of age, which attest to its absolute authenticity and history of liturgical use. Given the superb quality of the metalwork and the enduring significance of its theological subject, this lot represents an elite acquisition for the most discerning collectors of sacred art from the Romanov Empire. H.E. Most Rev. Francisco-Javier Lozano Sebastián, Titular Archbishop of Penafiel and Apostolic Nuncio Emeritus. Item condition grading: *** fair.The lot is in a good state of preservation with wear and defects commensurate with its age and use over time. Losses and replacements.The riza is apparently unhallmarked; it has been tested using an XRF spectrometer and is guaranteed to be silver with a minimum fineness of 84 zolotniks.