Russian icon depicting the Madonna of Kazan with silver riza, Moscow, 1893

Tempera on panel with silver riza

Height × width: 28.5 × 24 cm Weight: 1331 g.

The iconographic composition, one of the most venerated in the Russian Orthodox tradition, depicts the Virgin represented half-length, with her head slightly inclined toward the Christ Child. The latter is portrayed standing frontally, raising his right hand in a gesture of blessing, while the figure of the Virgin serves as a spiritual and protective presence. The wooden panel, painted in tempera, is almost entirely covered by a precious silver metal covering (riza or oklad), finely worked with repoussé, engraving and chasing techniques. The silver revetment leaves visible only the faces and hands of the figures (*lik*), according to the typical “window” technique of icon painting. 

The riza features rich geometric and geometric-floral decoration covering the background uniformly, with a more elaborate treatment around the two halos, a characteristic element of Russian goldsmiths’ workshops of the late Imperial period, fully hallmarked with 84 zolotniks (875/1000) silver marks, used in Moscow from 1893, assayer Ivan Sergeevich Lebedkin, and the with the mark of an unidentified silversmith.

The entire work is preserved within a shaped wooden kiot with an inner gilded frame, fitted with a glazed front door and lateral metal hinges that allowed it to be closed during transport.