A silver-gilt and cloisonné enamel framed icon of 'The August Prophecy', Moscow, 1915-1916

depicting the Apparition of the Mother of God to soldiers on the eve of battle, dated 1915, the repoussé frame with lattice design punctuated with stars, set to each corner with polychrome enamelled friezes within white beaded borders, the top and the bottom applied with silver and enamel plaques inscribed in Cyrillic 117 kon. Sot. Esaul A.I. Shilko 8, IX 1916 g. / Yavlenie B.M. na voine, 84 standard   

The icon is in good condition. There are some minor losses to the enamel. The paint surface is slightly dirty. There has been no retouching. We would advise prospective buyers to view.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The icon was painted with the blessing of Saint Metropolitan Makary of Moscow and documents an event that occurred on the 14^th September, 1914. The cuirassier regiments of Gatchina and Tsarskoe Selo were moving towards the Russian-German border. At around eleven o'clock that night the soldiers saw the vision of the Holy Virgin, which lasted from thirty to forty minutes. All the soldiers and officers stood on their knees and prayed, observing the Holy Virgin in the dark night sky. She was surrounded by a mysterious light with the Holy Infant Jesus Christ seated at Her left hand; with Her right hand she pointed to the West. Following her direction the soldiers engaged in combat with the enemy and defeated them at a place called August; hence why the icon is named "The August Vision" or "August Victory". The news about a miraculous appearance of the Queen of Heavens was reported to the Emperor Nicholas II. By his order, and with the blessing of Metropolitan Makary, an icon was painted of the Holy Virgin to commemorate the event.  Most icons of the "August Victory" were painted from 1915-1917. Soon after the events surrounding the Bolshevik Revolution obscured the national memory of this extraordinary apparition.