1205, Oct.11, 1937

Transcription: [double-headed eagle] The Schaffer Collection of Russian Imperial Art Treasures ROCKEFELLER CENTER, NEW YORK October 11, 1937 #1205 Exceptionally fine solid silver triptych icon designed with serpentine pointed top, and overlaid on the front with gold leaves and tendrils molded and chased to perfectly simulate the gold bullion work motifs to be found on the finest Russian brocades. Opening the side panels of the icon, which bear in the center the Greek Catholic cross, the central panel is painted with the “Transfiguration”, against a pure gold ground. Christ stands in the center with Elias on the left and Moses on the right, while below there are: left, “John”; middle, “James”; and right, “Peter”. The side panels frame at the left, “St. Elizabeth”, and on the right, “St. Sergius of Randanezh”. All of the individual paintings are equally notable for a beauty of characterization as well as for the unusual finish of details. A narrow border frame in emerald green, gold, red and black completes the design. The icon bears on the reverse the dedication to Grand Duke Serge as follows: “Blessing of the Preobrajensky Regiment, June 3d, 1884”. “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another as I have loved you”. “From the New Testament, St. John, Chapter 13, Verse 34). The names of the donors are inscribed (etched in the silver) over the sides of the icon. They are as follows: Middle lower: Baron Medem, Kovansky, Count Murafief, Amursky, Neidhart, Kornileff, Count Titischoff. Right wing lower: Martinoff, Count Von Preil, Penherzhevsky, Gadon. Left wing lower: Belgard, Martinoff, Obahoff, Dolgoff II. Right top dome (front): Hartons, Belhart, Domerishkov, Veltzin, Kazin, Zhehacheff; (back): Chekmareff, Komaroff, Palivin, Muravieff, Shipoff, Schmitt. Left top dome (front): General Major Prince Obolensky, Left top dome (front) continued: Evreinoff (meaning in Russian “Son of the Jew”), Korniloff, Ladishensky, Dolhoff. (back): Second Lieutenant Shemiakin, Bakalin, Lt. Peshkoff, Baron Medem. Right side (top): Admiral Ozeroff, Novisitzogg, Kasherinoff, Under Captain Haller, Heirot, Epanchin, Baliasny, Forselles, Vosnesensky, Surelius. Right side (bottom): Kashneff, Malahoff, Bashiloff, Mescherinoff, Merder, Neidhart II, Prince Troubetskoy, Loshhereff, Delsal, Count Loris-Melikoff. Left side (top and bottom): Pensky, Kushkovsky, Adjutant Reiters, Count Stenbok, Captain A.G. Korostovitz, Kakoshkin; Schlitter, Delsal, Janetzky, Mirkuloff, Veimarn, Gardenin, Navrotsky.