Late 19th Century Silver Icon of the Archangel Raphael in Painted and Cloisonné Enamels, Russian, 1890s

Rare, Russian, silver icon of Archangel Raphael, painted, cloisonné and champlevé enamels. Probably a complex, private order, presumably executed by the factory master P. Ovchinnikov. Intimate and at the same time festive, the breastplate bears a half-length image of Archangel Raphilus with holy scripture in his hands. The gentle face and folds of the Archangel’s clothes are subtly depicted in the shimmering purity of silver, affirming the sacred purity and holiness of the heavenly powers. The high reliquary fields of the icon and its reverse side are decorated in accordance with the neo-Russian style of the 19th century - a triangular pattern alternating with foliage and a cross with Gothic curls around the flowers. The eyelet for the lace, on a turning loop, is also decorated with belts of cloisonné and champlevé enamel. A charming monument to Russian style and spiritual purity of pre-revolutionary Russia at the end of the 19th century. 6.2x3.8 cm. Weight: 54 g.