Name/Title
Saints Zosima and Sabbatius and Their Guardian AngelEntry/Object ID
2005.02.009Description
Small silver plated metal miniature backed in dark blue velvet. Most of the facial features have been worn down, but what remains shows three figures; a winged angel holding a cross and sword followed by two bearded men clothed in long robes with both hands raised. There are some Cyrillic inscriptions at the top presumed to be the names of the Saints, but this too has been worn down and is difficult to read.Type of Sculpture
ReliefCollection
Betsy Scheuring Icon CollectionAcquisition
Accession
2005.02Source or Donor
Betsy ScheuringAcquisition Method
GiftCredit Line
Gift of Betsy ScheuringInscription/Signature/Marks
Type
Makers MarkLocation
Under the right edge of the rizaTranscription
AA CorrudLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
IconNomenclature Primary Object Term
Symbol, ReligiousNomenclature Sub-Class
Religious ObjectsNomenclature Class
Ceremonial ObjectsNomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication ObjectsDimensions
Height
2-1/4 inWidth
2-1/8 inExhibition
Spirit Made Tangible: The Scheuring Icon Collection (2006)Interpretative Labels
Label Type
Cultural/Historical ContextLabel
Saints Zosima and Sabbatius were the founders of the Solovetsky Monastery on an island in the White Sea in the 15th century. In icons, they are often shown placed in front of their monastery or holding a model of it. In this small example they appear standing in profile behind a guardian angel. Guardian angels appear in the Old Testament (for example, the Angel Raphael in the story of Tobias) and the New Testament (Luke’s Gospel has many references to angels). The idea of an angel as a personal guardian became very popular in the monastic tradition, especially with regard to Sts. Bernard and Benedict in the 12th century. Here the guardian angel is carrying a sword and a cross. The two monks raise their hands in prayer.