110, July 27, 1935

Transcription: [double-headed eagle] The Schaffer Collection of Russian Imperial Art Treasures ROCKEFELLER CENTER, NEW YORK July 27, 1935 #110 Exceptionally fine gold and silver Russian icon portraying the “Holy Virgin of Iverskaya with the Child”. The trappings, consisting of the exquisitely chased and modelled robes of the Virgin, together with the frame and borders of ancient Byzantine design, are a superb contrast to the magnificent haloes done in all the brilliant shades of the Russian enamel. In a lovely design of filigree, the enamel combines rare shades of turquoise blue, ruby red and deep greens interspersed with white. Within the recessed panel of the icon there is inscribed at top in old Russian characters: “The Mother of God”, while within the halo of the Child, there is in the form of an abbreviation: “From the Father Proceeds”. The back of the icon is mounted with a plaque which is inscribed “To Her Imperial Highness the Grand Duchess Tatiana Nicholaievna from the Nobility of Moscow.” This icon, notable alike for the beauty of characterization of the “Virgin and Child”, together with its technical perfection in the use of gold, silver and enamel, was from her personal belongings at the Alexandrovsky Palace at Tsarskoye Selo.

MRS. JOHN L. PRATT