Our Lady Smolenskaya antique icon, restored 30x25cm XX century

Our Lady Smolenskaya antique icon, restored 30x25cm XX century.
Origin: Moscow (Russia)
Material: Wood, Levkas
Technique: Egg tempera on chiselled metal sheet
Measurements: 30x25cm
Epoch: mid XX century.
Restoration: this icon was restored in 2016 by masters iconographers in Moscow.
The icon of the Mother of God of Smolensk was taken to Constantinople from Jerusalem in 1046. When Anna, the daughter of the emperor Constantine Monomachos, married the prince of Cernigov, Vsevolod, Constantine blessed her with this icon.
During the XII century the son of Vsevolod and Anna, Vladimir Monomachos, brought the icon to Smolensk; it was then that it got the name Smolenskaya.
The first miracle attributed to the icon happened in 1237, when the citizens of Smolensk fought and won against the can Batyi after having prayed in front of the Sacred Image.
In 1812, during Napoleon's invasion, the Russian army took the Miraculous Icon with them. Before the battle of Borodino, the Icon was taken to every member of the army so that it could protect Russia from the enemy and help them to win the battle.
It belongs to the type of icons "Odighitria".
The Mother of God is represented while leaning her head towards the baby.
The figures of Christ and the Virgin are detached, the Saint Mother of God is represented with her right hand indicating Baby Jesus (who is sitting on her left hand) as if she was indicating to the people that the real path to follow is the path towards God.
This icon is like a guide towards God and towards eternal Security. It is one of the oldest images of the Mother of God.
This icon is delivered in an elegant blue box and comes with a certificate of origin and guarantee.