Russian Icon depicting the Archangel Gabriel with silver riza, Moscow 1896-1908

Tempera on panel with silver riza

Height x widths: 18 x 14.5 cm.

The icon features the refined and evocative iconography of Saint John the Baptist depicted as the "Angel of the Desert," according to the Orthodox theological tradition that equates the Precursor with a celestial messenger (cf. Mt 11:10). The Saint is painted full-length and standing, equipped with large, feathered golden wings. He wears the typical camel hair vestment covered by a red cloak, while holding in his left hand a rolled scroll and a chalice containing his decapitated head, the symbol of his martyrdom. The pictorial composition is enclosed within an unusual and elegant oval-shaped reserve.

The piece is mounted with a silver riza, fully hallmarked with 84 zolotniks (875/1000) silver marks, used in Moscow from 1896 to 1908, assayer Ivan Sergeevich Lebedkin, and the with the mark of an unidentified silversmith.