Kazanskaya Mother of God, The

Name/Title

Kazanskaya Mother of God, The

Entry/Object ID

2005.02.114

Description

Brass plaque decorated with polychrome enamel with loop for suspension. The surface of this icon depicts the Mother of God with her head inclined to the right. Her features are moderately eroded, but she wears a maphorion veil and has a solid halo around her. The Christ child is shown standing from the knees up on her right and he has one hand outstretched. His features, too, are moderately eroded but he is clothed in etched embroidered robes similar to his mother and his halo has his holy initials. The two are pictured on sky blue enamel with a red enamel border. The reverse side has a six pointed flower with what appears to be ears of corn etched into each of the four corners.

Collection

Betsy Scheuring Icon Collection

Acquisition

Accession

2005.02

Source or Donor

Betsy Scheuring

Acquisition Method

Gift

Credit Line

Gift of Betsy Scheuring

Made/Created

Date made

1880 - 1900

Place

Country

Russia

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Secondary Object Term

Icon

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Symbol, Religious

Nomenclature Sub-Class

Religious Objects

Nomenclature Class

Ceremonial Objects

Nomenclature Category

Category 08: Communication Objects

Dimensions

Height

2-1/8 in

Width

2 in

Material

Brass

Exhibition

Spirit Made Tangible: The Scheuring Icon Collection (2006)

Interpretative Labels

Label Type

Cultural/Historical Context

Label

This nearly square little icon represents the Kazanskaya Virgin type in the familiar arrangement, here framed by plant scrolls on the sides and dark blue clouds above. The brass-colored figures appear against a light blue enamel ground. In contrast to the Virgin’s plain halo, that of Christ bears a cross with initials. The border is dark red, punctuated by small yellow circles.