AN IMPORTANT RUSSIAN PRESENTATION ICON OF ST. NESTOR THE CHRONICLER, MOSCOW 1896. At center a finely painted full-length image of Nestor depicted in monastic garments and holding a scroll upon which he writes his great chronicle. His habit is highlighted with gold shading and the gilded background is ornately incised with flower heads interspersed between intricate strapwork. The shoulder height Slavonic inscription identifies him as,– The Venerable Nestor Chronicler of the Perchersk Lavra – Kiev. The borders overlaid with an ornately crafted repoussé gilded silver and enameled riza. The outside border with twist cloisonné pattern enamel and the inside with triple border of turquoise beaded enamel, light blue solid enamel and twist pattern. The corners each set with ornate enameled elements and the head of Nestor encircled by an applied gilded silver and enamel halo.  The riza hallmarked Moscow, 84 silver standard, dated 1896 and with Cyrillic makers mark ?? for Anton Chevarzin. The verso of icon covered with purple velvet and old paper label hand inscribed in Russian script, “From Metropolitan Ioaniky Kiev Lavra September 12, 1896.” Size: 10.7 inches x 9 inches (27 x 22.5 cm).

Provenance:
The Stephen Humble Collection

Literature:
Russian Icons form the Humble Collection, University of Kentucky Publishing, Lexington, Kentucky, 1995, page 26, Illustrated.

Exhibited:
1993 University of Kentucky Art Museum, Lexington, Kentucky.

Metropolitan Ioaniky (Ivan Maksimovich Rudnev 1826-1900) was, from 1891 until his death in 1900, the Metropolitan of Kiev. Metropolitan Ioaniky was present at the wedding of Tsar Nicholas II and Alexandra Feodorovna as well as at the coronation of Tsar Nicholas II in May of 1896, blessing the Royal couple with Holy Water at the commencement of the ceremony. He and Tsar Nicholas II are also known to have shared a mutual esteem for one another. On August 20, 1896 (September 1st new style) Tsar Nicholas and the Tsarina Alexandra were present in Kiev for the formal consecration of the St. Vladimir Cathedral there and which was presided over by Metropolitan Ioaniky. He is also known to have visited the Lavra and no doubt venerated the relics of St. Nestor. Considering the singularly unique subject matter together with the inscription on verso, as well as the extremely high quality of the icon and riza, it seems very plausible if not all together likely that the offered icon was indeed a gift from His Holiness Metropolitan Ioaniky to Tsar Nicholas II during his visit to Kiev in September of 1896.