Lot number 2006 - Auction 147
SEHR SELTENE IKONE MIT DER NIEDERLEGUNG DES GEWANDES CHRISTI IN MOSKAU

A VERY RARE ICON SHOWING THE DEPOSITION OF THE SACRED ROBE OF CHRIST IN MOSCOW Russian, Mstera, 2nd half 19th century Tempera on wood panel with double kovcheg. The haloes and background made of gold. Two selected saints on the borders: Guardian Angel and St. Antipas. 30.7 x 26.3 cm. The Feast of the Deposition of the Lord's Robe in Moscow was officially introduced in 1625 to commemorate the arrival of Christ's robe from Georgia, which was presented as a gift to Tsar Michael Romanov. The sacred relic was solemnly placed in the Dormition Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin and preserved in a metal reliquary, crafted in 1624 by the artisans of the city of Rostov. Shortly thereafter, the first icons depicting this event were created, modeled after Byzantine representations of the Deposition of the Virgin's Robe in Constantinople, but enriched with Moscow stylistic elements. The oldest known example, dating to circa 1627, is housed in the Moscow Kremlin Museums. It depicts the interior of the Dormition Cathedral, with the holy robe inside the kovcheg, venerated by the Patriarch, Tsar Michael Romanov, clergy, and worshippers.