Russian Icon From The Moscow School, 19th Century. "virgin Of Kazan"

Painting on wood. Oklad in gilded silver. With the marks of the goldsmith and the assayer. Dimensions: 31.5 x 26.5 cm. In Russian icons, Marian invocations are numerous. Our Lady of Kazan is an icon revered in the Russian Orthodox Church which depicts the Holy Virgin Mary as the patroness and protector of the city of Kazan. In Russia, two large cathedrals are dedicated to him: the Kazan Cathedral in Saint Petersburg and the Kazan Cathedral in Moscow. In this icon, the paint used for the clothing of the Virgin and Child is exposed, while the rest is protected by an embossed and chiseled oklad, which reproduces every detail of the clothing. Around the figures, the embossing creates magnificent floral patterns. The tradition of decorating icons with oklads appeared after the mandate of the Most Holy Synod of 1722, when it was forbidden to hang metal crosses on icons and leave offerings in the form of coins, since this tradition had pagan roots.