Imperial Russian Silver-Gilt Jesus Pantokrator, 19th Century

The piece, steeped in Russian Orthodox tradition, portrays Christ Pantocrator, a term synonymous with the ‘Ruler of All’. Christ Pantocrator icons hold a revered place in Orthodox Christianity, and this creation is no exception. Christ is visualized in contemplation, directly addressing the viewer. He is adorned in an ornate garment bearing intricate floral and geometric designs.

This icon is particularly significant for its compositional uniqueness. While often in similar icons, Christ is depicted holding on to the gospel in this piece he cradles a holy relic crowned with a cross with his left hand, while his right hand is elevated in blessing.

The piece is composed of 84 silver, with the exception of Christ’s visage, hair, and hands which are painted on wood.

A radiant halo encircles Christ’s head, punctuated with cross symbols cut into the silver, further reinforcing the profound religious significance of the icon. The piece is encased within a silver frame, also known as a riza or ‘oklad’, which is enriched with diverse geometric and symmetric patterns. The top corners of the riza boast larger, elaborate designs, while star motifs enclosed within circular frames enhance the bottom corners. In the lower central region, the riza bears an inscription in Cyrillic that translates to ‘Almighty’.

Silver hallmarks authenticate the exquisite piece, including the maker’s mark, assay mark, silver purity mark (84 zolotniks), and the city mark denoting Moscow, Russia. Imbued with profound religious significance, this icon stands as an extraordinary addition to any collection of Russian religious artifacts, or just as a decorative object of outstanding beauty and craftsmanship.