A MONUMENTAL AND FINE ICON SHOWING 'IN THEE REJOICES'... Lot 448

A MONUMENTAL AND FINE ICON SHOWING 'IN THEE REJOICES' WITH BASMA Russian, 18th century tempera on wood panel. The haloes and background made of silver, covered by a golden lacquer. Finely executed in reds and blues. The shown subject deriving from a hymn attributed to St. John of Damascus and not an actual event, representing in a circular glory the Mother of God enthroned holding the Christ Child, the latter extending both his hand in blessing, surrounded by angels, against a Church. Two groups of saints depicted in the lower part. The composition painted in detail, mostly with tones of blue and red. The borders overlaid with a brass basma. Minimally worn, minimally restored. 76.5 x 61.5 cm. MONUMENTAL AND VERY FINE ICON 'ABOUT YOU THE WHOLE CREATION IS HAPPY' WITH BASMA Russia, 18th century Composite of two boards with two profiled back sponki and two front sponki. Egg tempera on chalk ground, partial silvering glazed gold. Brass basma. 76.5 x 61.5 cm. Axially symmetrical picture structure in two horizontal registers. In the center, in the upper section, the Mother of God is enthroned with the blessing Christ Child in her lap surrounded by archangels. In the background appears a cathedral architecture with onion domes. In the lower area depiction of saints arranged in two rows, including John of Damascus with an open scroll, John the Baptist, Elijah, Moses, David, Church Fathers and ascetics. The hymn from St. Basil's liturgy celebrates Mary as the joy of all creation and praises her as a sanctified temple and spiritual paradise. God, who took flesh in her and became a child, made her womb his throne. She is surrounded by the aureole of the cosmos. Around her the whole Church has gathered, the choirs of angels, apostles, bishops, kings and monks, and men and women of all classes. Min. rubbing, min. rest.