A silver-gilt and cloisonné enamel icon of the Mandylion, Pavel Ovchinnikov, Moscow, circa 1890

A silver-gilt and cloisonné enamel icon of the Mandylion, Pavel Ovchinnikov, Moscow, circa 1890

Depicting the Holy Visage, raised halo with polychrome geometric motifs over finely chased silver-gilt cloth imitating folds over a filigree foliate turquoise ground, raised columnar border with Greek crosses, the verso with oblong rectangular plaque with a dedication in Cyrillic Da prebudet blagoslavenie Bozhie nad vnukoyu moyei Mariei ('Let there be Godly blessing over the granddaughter of mine Maria'), with suspension loop, set in brass frame with bevelled glass, struck on the lower edge of the frame Ovchinnikov under imperial warrant, 84 standard

height of icon 9cm, 3 3/4 in.