LARGE 19c RUSSIAN EASTERN ORTHODOX ICON TIKHVIN VIRGIN Start Price USD 15,825.00 Current Price USD 15,825.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price USD 15,995.00 Reserve Price - Start Time Friday, September 05, 2008 End Time Monday, September 15, 2008 Location Boston, MA See more about 'LARGE 19c RUSSIAN EASTERN ORTHODOX ICON TIKHVIN VIRGIN' Description YOU ARE BIDDING ON A LARGE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX 19 CENTURY CENTRAL RUSSIA SCHOOL ICON "TIKHVINSKAYA MOTHER OF GOD". This 19 c icon is painted in tempera on the wooden surface with a gilt background. The Central Russia school of painting. Tikhvinskaya ("Tikhvin") Mother of God was believed to be painted by St. Luke who sent it as a gift to the ruler Theophilus ar Antioch. After Theophilus' death it went to Jerusalem. In the 5th century it was sent as a gift to Pulcheria, sister of Theodosius the Younger in Constantinopol. The Church of the Blachernae was built to house it, and it remained there for over 500 years under the title of Hodigitria. In 1383, knowing of the approaching fall of Constantinopol to the Turks, the icon was sent to Russia. Some fishermen saw it in a circle of light over Lake Ladoga, and then it appeared again near Lake Onega, then on the Oyat River, and then twice more, moving even closer to Tikhvin. Finally it appeared on the bank of the Tikhvinka River in 1383 then burned in 1390, but the icon was found unharmed in a juniper bush, In 1395 it survived another fire, and in 1500 yet another. In the 16th century it was placed in a brick church dedicated to the Dormition and in 1613, after a vision of a blind widow, it was used to repel the Swedes by being carried in a procession, following the instructions given by the Mother of God. This icon was very popular in Russia and very frequently copied. Its feast day is June 26. Measurements: 72.5 cm x 91.5 cm (28 1/2 in x 36 in ) Unmarked Condition: Very original condition. Unrestored, minor damage throughout as shown. Authenticity: This item is guaranteed to be genuine Russian 19c icon and NOT a later reproduction. We are helping to sell a small collection of Russian Icons. Please see my other auctions or feel free to contact me for additional information. PLEASE READ INFORMATION BELOW BEFORE PLACING A BID Shipping and Handling: $70 within USA, $150 - outside USA due to weight and large size. Insurance required covering full purchase price. METHODS OF PAYMENT: - PayPal - Money Order in US$ - Visa/Mastercard - Bank wire transfer Payment must be made in U.S. funds within 10 days of notification. Feel free to e-mail me with any questions before placing a bid. Item is shipped upon receipt of the payment, feedback left upon completion of the transaction. Place a Bid!