Bidspirit auction | ALEXANDER PANFILOV

ALEXANDER PANFILOV - Temperaon panel with silver riza Height x Width x Depth: 31 x 26.5 x 3 cm Weight: 1322 g. The work depicts Christ Pantocrator according to the iconographic tradition of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine art. Christ is represented frontally, half-length, with a solemn expression and a direct gaze engaging the viewer, emphasizing His role as Judge and Sovereign of the Universe. His right hand is raised in the traditional gesture of blessing, while His left holds the Gospel Book, symbolizing the Divine Word and eternal wisdom. The panel is covered with a silver riza, executed in repoussé and chased silver. The metal revetment leaves the face and hands of Christ exposed, in keeping with a widespread practice in the Orthodox icon tradition. This covering both protects the painted surface and enhances the solemnity and devotional character of the sacred image. The piece is mounted with a silver riza, fully hallmarked with 84 zolotniks (875/1000) silver marks, used in Moscow in 1843, assayer Andrey Antonovich Kovalsky, and the with the mark of the silversmith Panfilov Alexander. Literature: Ref. Postnikova-Loseva ”Gold and silver manufacture in Russia XV-XX century”, pag. 208 n. 2228.