FINE RUSSIAN ICON OF ST. SERAPHIM OF SAROV, C. 1903.

FINE RUSSIAN ICON OF ST. SERAPHIM OF SAROV, C. 1903.

Comprising a finely painted image of the much-loved 19th century monastic startsy. Here Seraphim is shown in slightly hunched over wearing monastic attire and holding his hand over his heart. Overlaid with a repousse and chased gilded silver oklad with cloisonne enameled halo and corner plaques. The lower margin with engraved title "The Holy Staretz Seraphim." Hallmarked Moscow 1896-1908, Cyrillic makers mark S.Ye. and 84 silver standard. 12.5 x 10.75 inches (31.5 x 27.5cm). Seraphim (1754-1833) was born Prókhor Isídorovich Moshnín. He was glorified (canonized) on July 19, 1903, due in large part to the insistence of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna. On the day of Seraphim's canonization, Nicholas II and other Sovereigns carried the coffin containing his relics to its resting place. Seraphim was revered by the Royal family, and it is known that in the office of Nicholas II hung an icon portraying the beloved saint.



Provenance:

The Frank R. Brownell (1939-2025) lifetime collection, from whom acquired at Jackson's International Auctioneers, auction of May 23, 1998, as lot number 248 and illustrated in catalog on page 33.