ICON OF CHRIST PANTOCRATOR IN A COPPER REVETMENT WITH POLYCHROME CLOISONNÉ

A rare and striking example of early 20th-century Russian ecclesiastical decorative art, this hanging icon of Christ Pantocrator is set within an elaborate architectural revetment adorned with polychrome cloisonné enamel. Its artistic design reflects the traditions of the Neo-Russian style and Russian Art Nouveau, displaying characteristic features of the design tradition associated with the Imperial Stroganov School of Art and Industry in Moscow. The central oval medallion contains a half-length depiction of Christ Pantocrator with a cruciform halo. Christ is shown frontally, raising His right hand in blessing and holding an open Gospel book in His left. The painted image follows Byzantine and Old Russian iconographic traditions. The medallion is surrounded by an ornamental border incorporating enamelled elements, stylised lettering and geometric decoration. The metal revetment forms an elaborate, symmetrical, multipart composition, its silhouette recalling the architectural forms of medieval Russian churches. The upper section is surmounted by five pierced crosses, stylised onion domes and decorative elements reminiscent of Orthodox processional banners. The central cresting features a scale-patterned design with alternating turquoise and rose-red enamelled segments. The lateral sections are embellished with expressive foliate scrolls, stylised leaves, floral motifs and rows of white enamelled ornaments. The rich polychrome palette combines deep blue, turquoise, lilac, green, rose-red and white enamels, creating an intricate decorative rhythm. The lower section incorporates an articulated, openwork pendant decorated with enamelled elements and a central floral rosette. The icon is fitted with metal chains for suspension. The particular artistic distinction of the work lies in its combination of traditional Orthodox iconography with the architectural and ornamental vocabulary of Russian Art Nouveau. The complexity of its silhouette, the richness of its enamel decoration and the harmonious arrangement of its compositional elements place the icon within the artistic context of the Moscow school of metalwork in the early 20th century. Materials and Techniques: Copper and copper alloy, polychrome enamel, presumably cloisonné, painting, pierced metalwork and metal mounts. Dimensions: Height including lower pendant: 23 cm. Width: 13 cm. Dimensions of the painted image: approximately 5.5 × 6.5 cm. Condition: Good condition, consistent with age. Natural signs of age and use are present. Literature: Sbornik kompozitsiy uchashchikhsya v Stroganovskom uchilishche (Collection of Compositions by Students of the Stroganov School). Vol. 1. Moscow: A. A. Levenson Printing Partnership, 1900.

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