Bidspirit auction | Russian icon with riza depicting

Russian icon with riza depicting the Theotokos with riza, early XX century - Tempera on panel with metal riza Height x width: 30,5 x 25,5 cm Panel icon depicting the Virgin Hodegetria according to the iconographic tradition of the Russian Orthodox Church. The Mother of God is shown half-length with the Christ Child seated on her left arm, while with her right hand she indicates the Son as the “way of salvation, ” following the traditional Byzantine-derived iconographic scheme.  The icon is completed by a metal riza that partially covers the painted surface, leaving the faces and hands of the sacred figures visible. The composition belongs to the Russian Orthodox iconographic tradition, in which the Hodegetria type plays a central role in Marian devotion, expressing the theme of the Virgin as the guide leading to Christ and salvation. The icon is mounted with a silver-plated copper riza, decorated in repoussé and chased work.