NEW YORK – Easter Week, or Bright Week as it is called in Eastern Orthodox Church, brings to mind Christ, the Apostles, the Virgin Mary and all the saints. They are depicted on icons, which are religious images typically painted on small wooden panels. Jasper52 is presenting a fine collection of antique Russian icons in an online auction Saturday, April 22. Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.
Expected to lead the auction is a 19th century Mother of the Burning Bush icon, which pictures the Mother of God holding Christ in the center of the composition, while the corners are occupied by events related to the biblical story of the Burning Bush. Vividly executed in gesso, gold and tempera, the 12 1/2-by-10 1/2-inch icon (above) is expected to bring $8,000-$12,000.
St. Mary is also represented in the collection by an 18th century Russian icon of the Annunciation, at which the archangel Gabriel announced that she would conceive a child to be born as the Son of God. The icon, tempera on wooden board, is approximately 12 1/2 by 10 1/2 inches.
The baptism of Christ is depicted on two 17th century Russian icons in the auction, one of which is pictured below. Both have $5,000-$7,000 estimates.
A 17th or 18th century Russian icon is devoted to the Old Testament Trinity. This 10 3/4-by-12 1/2-inch image (below) is estimated at $8,000-$10,000.
St. John the Apostle & Evangelist, an 18th century Russian icon, about 10 1/2 by 12 1/2 inches, expects to deliver $6,000-$8,000.
A central Russian icon commemorating St. Trifon (Tryphon), who was martyred for his faith, is included in the auction. St. Trifon (d. A.D. 250) acquired fame as a healer, especially of animals. He is particularly invoked on farms and is also the patron saint of gardeners and winegrowers.
The illustrious lives of the saint are celebrated in this 88-lot auction, which begins Saturday, April 22, at 9 a.m. Eastern.
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