Antique Russian icon, Our Lady of Iverskaya, 19th century, 12x10 in
Antique Russian icon, Our Lady of Iverskaya, 19th century, 12x10 in.
Antique Russian icon depicting the Mother of God of Iver.
In the 8th-9th century, a strong iconoclast mouvement emerged, leading emissaries of King Theophilus to enter homes and destroy icons. During his reign, a miraculous event was linked to this icon: soldiers entered the house of a devout widow near Nicaea. One of them saw the holy image, drew his sword, and struck a vigorous blow at the Virgin Mary's cheek, from which blood ...
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Antique Russian icon, Our Lady of Iverskaya, 19th century, 12x10 in.
Antique Russian icon depicting the Mother of God of Iver.
In the 8th-9th century, a strong iconoclast mouvement emerged, leading emissaries of King Theophilus to enter homes and destroy icons. During his reign, a miraculous event was linked to this icon: soldiers entered the house of a devout widow near Nicaea. One of them saw the holy image, drew his sword, and struck a vigorous blow at the Virgin Mary's cheek, from which blood flowed. Astonished, the soldier converted and became a monk.
The woman placed the icon on a boat and set it adrift at sea. The holy image miraculously crossed the sea and arrived at the foot of Mount Athos in front of the Iveron Monastery on May 31, 999
A year later, monks noticed it disappear before Vespers, only to find it miraculously hanging above the monastery gates the next morning. After repositioning it twice, they left it above the doors realising its prodigious nature.
Despite numerous attacks by enemies and pirates, the icon always defended the gate and the entire monastery. A church was later built in its honour on the site, becoming one of Mount Athos' most important relics.
To date, many documented miracles and healings have been attributed to the icon.
During Patriarch Nikon's time, two copies written by Athos monks were brought to Russia in 1648 and 1655, leading to various miraculous events.
The icon represents the "Hodegetria" iconographic type, portraying the Mother of God frontally with her head slightly bent towards the Child. The mantle's edges open revealing the chiton. The Child is supported by the Virgin's left hand, while her right hand points to the Son, inviting veneration.
The painting correspond to the "Hodegetria" iconographic type (Showing the way): the Mother of God is depicted with her right hand pointing to Baby Jesus seated on her left hand, symbolising the true path towards Christ.
This icon serves as a guide to God and eternal salvation, believed to be one of the earliest images of the Mother of God, with the initial Hodegetria possibly written by Saint Luke the Evangelist.
The icon comes in a blue velvet case and includes an evaluation by an expert.
Origin: Northern Russia.
Technique: egg tempera.
Materials: wood, levkas, bronze.
Actual measurements: 12.3x10.2 in.
Era: 19th century.
