Eastern Europe, Russia, ca. late 19th century CE. Hand painted in egg tempera on wood with a silvered copper oklad cover (also oclad or riza) delineated in repousse and chased with finely delineated details, an archangel Uriel icon. The head and right forearm of the angel are painted in egg tempera, while his body, background, and border are all depicted in beautiful silvered copper. Standing on clouds, the holy figure wears a suit of armor and a cape as he holds a flaming sword in his right hand and a circular shield in his left. Sizeable wings expand behind him, while his border is comprised of decorative geometric and vegetal designs. The name of the angel is inscribed at the bottom in Old Cyrillic and a pair of circles also with Old Cyrillic writing are featured at the top corners. The verso is covered in soft velvet with a lovely hue of yellow ochre. A special example of sacred art from the Eastern Orthodox tradition! Size: 8.9" L x 7" W (22.6 cm x 17.8 cm)

The oklad or riza, sometimes referred to as a revetment in English, is a cover made from metals such as brass or silver, like this example, that not only protects the icon, but also serves to honor or venerate the figure(s) depicted on the icon. Oklads are usually adorned with repousse and/or chased work and pierced to reveal elements of the underlying painting.

Icons (icon means "image" in Greek) are sacred objects within the Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition. Found in homes as well as churches, these painted images depict holy persons and saints as well as illustrate scenes from the Scriptures. Icons are not worshiped but are instead venerated for their ability to focus the power of an individual's prayer to God. As a focus for prayers and meditation for believers, icons serve as "windows into heaven."

Provenance: private Pasadena, California, USA collection

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#164680

Indecipherable hallmark on top periphery. A few indentations to the icon as shown, but the form is otherwise sound and the imagery is strong.