50            RUSSIAN ICON: Saint Seraphim of Sarov, circa 1903. Here Seraphim is depicted praying in the forest, his icon hanging in the tree in front of him. He wears an Old Believers pectoral bronze cross, holds a chotki (prayer rope) and his gloves, ax, hat, staff and bread bag are beneath him. The borders are intricately incised. 5.25"x4.25".  Estimate            $300-$500

51            RUSSIAN ICON: The Mother of God "Surety of Sinners," circa 1850. The central panel depicting the Mother of God Surety of Sinners. The origin of this prototype is unclear. What is known is that in 1843, the icon was housed in the Nikolaev Odrin Monastery, Krachev district of the Orlov province. At that time, the icon began to work miracles after people in the vicinity began to have dreams about the icon. Soon afterwards the icon, which had darkened over the years, was cleaned and placed in the Monastery church. In 1848 it began to shine and exude myrrh. The Virgin and Child are encircled by scrolls upon which is written, "I am the Intercessor for Sinners before my Son; He granted me the commission to hear me at all times; that they who bring their joy to me always, through me ask for eternal joy." The left wing with the Holy Martyr Michael of Maleina and the Holy Martyr Agania. On the right wing, St. Sergiy of Radonezh and St. Nicholas. Each icon overlaid with a repoussé and chased silver-gilt riza. The central icon with attached brilliant halo with various paste stones. Each riza hallmarked Moscow, dated 1852 and with Cyrillic makers mark of Vasiliy Ivanovich Popav, noted Moscow silversmith active from 1816-1868. Additionally each icon enclosed inside a carved gilt wood frame and set into a hinged receptacle with glazed doors. The left and right panels fold inward onto the central panel. A finely crafted triptych no doubt commissioned by a wealthy visitor to the original icon as the offered lot was executed only a few years following its discovery. An exquisite icon. 11.5"x17" (open).  Estimate            $4,000-$6,000

52            RUSSIAN ICON: Saint Anna Kashinskaya, 19th century. Depicted in monastic robes and delivering a blessing in the manner favored by the Old Believers. The entire image overlaid with a riza covered with a profusion of sewn glass beads. Interesting. 5.25"x4.25".  Estimate            $250-$400

53            RUSSIAN ICON: The Rudenskaya Mother of God, circa 1800. A less frequently encountered type, the prototype first appeared on Oct. 27, 1687, at the Rudnye Monastery in the Diocese of Mogilevsk. A Hodigetria variant with both figures wearing crowns, the infant Christ in Royal garments. The left border with the Archangel Raphael on the right, Saint Stephinida. Rare! 10.5"x9".  Estimate          $500-$800

54            RUSSIAN ICON: The Mystic Supper, 19th century. Here Christ is seated at the center behind the table and surrounded by his disciples. Judas is recognized at front left because he has no halo and holds a bag of money. This image was most often placed above the Royal Doors. The size and shape of the offered lot would suggest it was from a small chapel. The margin at top inscribed with the title in Old Church Slavonic "TAINAYA (Mystic) VECHERA (Supper). Scarce. 5.5"x17.75".  Estimate            $500-$750

55            RUSSIAN ICON: Saint Nicholas, Ural Mountain School, circa 1825. A very fine and less frequently encountered bust portrait with Gospels and blessing hand executed on a gold leaf ground. The borders with St. Peter Metropolitant of Moscow, and Saint Gregory. Beautiful untouched condition. 10.5"x9.25".  Estimate          $500-$800

56        A GREEK TRIPTYCH, 18th century. The central panel with the Annunciation. The left wing with St. Nicholas and St. George. The right wing with the Archangel Michael and St. Dimitrious. 6.25"x9".  Estimate            $400-$700

57            RUSSIAN ICON: A rare signed image of the Smolensk Mother of God, circa 1890, Moscow. Executed on an intricately incised gold leaf ground. The left border with Saint Alexander Nevskiy, the right border with the Venerable Anastasia. Signed lower left "Mikhail Uden." By 1900 there were a number of specialty icon shops located in Moscow. Many of these shops specialized in finely painted icons such as the offered lot. Many of these artists were trained in the village of Palekh or Mstera. The style of this icon would suggest a Palekh trained artist. Rare. 12.25"x10.25".  Estimate            $1,500-$2,500

58        A VERY RARE CHIRIKOV ICON:  Selected Saints, Moscow 1904. At the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, a revival of interest in ancient Russian art forms including icons swept the Russian upper classes. In the field of iconography, probably no other icon workshop was as highly sought out as was that of Osip Semeonovich Chirikov, a Mstera trained iconographer with a workshop in Moscow. Chirikov's icons are noted for their exceptional attention to detail and their likeness to various styles of ancient Russian painting. Chirikov's workshop undertook several commissions for the Royal court, and his icons were often purchased as gifts for the Royal family, and other persons of high social standing. From the left to right the offered icon presents Saint Nina Enlightener of Georgia, Saint Dimitriy Bishop of Rostov, the Martyr Lubov, and the Venerable Marina. At top center two angels support an icon of the Novgorod Sign Mother of God. The reverse with period painted inscription plaque rendered in a highly stylized and condensed version of Old Church Slavonic. It reads "ICON OF THE HOLY NAME-SAKES OF THE FAMILY OF DIMITRIY KAPITONOVICH TREMEV. PAINTED BY THE ICONOGRAPHER M.O.CHIRIKOV, IN MOSCOW, NOVEMBER THE 24TH DAY OF THE YEAR 1904." The inscription of course indicates that the saints depicted on the icon are those for whom the members of the family Tremev are named, which each member celebrates on his or her name day or "angel day." The ornately decorated borders are executed to simulate shaded enamel, a distinctive Chirikov trait. A spectacular icon of the type rarely seen offered for sale. 14"x12". Estimate            $8,000-$12,000