Russian Orthodox Feast Day Icon with Passion Cycle

Name: Russian Orthodox Feast Day Icon with Passion Cycle
Brand: The Collector
Availability: LimitedAvailability

19th-century Russian Orthodox Feast Day icon with multiple scenes on a gold ground, displayed on a gallery wall with a descriptive label. - view 1

1/3

Estimated value

$3,500 - $5,500

Rarity

Scarce(6/10)

Type

Museum Object

RUSSIAN ORTHODOX FEAST DAY ICON WITH PASSION CYCLE: IDENTIFICATION

This is a fine and comprehensive example of a Russian 'hagiographical' or multi-scene icon, specifically an extended Feast Day icon (Prazdniki). The central panel correctly depicts the Anastasis, or the Harrowing of Hell, which is the traditional Orthodox representation of the Resurrection. This is surrounded by scenes from the Great Feasts of the Orthodox liturgical year. Further miniature scenes detail the Passion of Christ, and the corners are occupied by the four Evangelists. This piece functions as a complete 'spiritual calendar' for a devout household, a devotional object of considerable complexity and theological depth.

Compare with other religious objects in the archive: Mid-20th Century Lithographic Print of Saint Joseph and the Christ Child, Orthodox Virgin Mary and Child Relief Plaque.

CROSS-CULTURAL PARALLELS

Where This Object Echoes

Medieval European Christianity14th-16th Century

This icon's format of a central scene surrounded by smaller narrative panels echoes the structure of medieval polyptych altarpieces in Western Europe, which also served to educate an illiterate populace on biblical events.

Ritual & Ceremonial Use

•This icon serves as the focus for the 'krasny ugol' or 'beautiful corner', the domestic shrine in an Orthodox home where daily prayers are said and feast days are observed.

Meaning Through Time

19th Century

Primarily an object of private devotion, condensing the entire liturgical cycle for a household.

Soviet Era

Became a suppressed form of religious expression, often hidden. Concurrently, it was re-contextualized by the state as 'folk art' or national heritage, stripped of its sacred function.

Late 20th - 21st Century

Experienced a resurgence in devotional use, while also becoming a highly sought-after category for international art collectors, valued for both its spiritual and aesthetic qualities.

SCARCITY

Scarce80-90%

CommonLegendary

Genuinely harder to find. Perhaps only dozens come to market annually. Collectors actively watch for these pieces.

Rarity 6/10. Curiosa currently catalogues 1 religious item at rarity 6 or higher.

Typical Characteristics

Dozens per year at market
Documented provenance valued
Active collector pursuit

Confidence Factors

The piece is presented by a named art dealer (Heutink), which implies a level of professional vetting.
The style, materials (tempera on gold ground), and complex iconography are highly consistent with 19th-century Central Russian workshops.
The Church Slavonic inscriptions appear correct for the period and subject matter.

How does authenticity detection work?

RELIGIOUS ART SCHOLAR'S TAKE

Sacred Art & Material Culture Specialist

Religious Art Expert

Confidence is high because the detailed gallery label provides a professional assessment (origin, date, iconography) that is fully corroborated by the visual evidence. The icon's style, complexity, and materials are all consistent with the stated attribution.

KEY EVIDENCE

1The gallery label confirms the object type ('Feestdagenikoon'), origin ('Centraal-Rusland'), and date ('ca. 1e h. 19e eeuw').
2The central iconography is clearly the Anastasis (Harrowing of Hell), typical for a Resurrection/Feast Day cycle.
3The fine, miniature painting style is characteristic of workshops in the Palekh/Mstyora tradition.
4The presence of Church Slavonic text labeling the scenes is appropriate for an authentic icon of this period.
5The use of a gilded background ('svet') is a hallmark of traditional icon painting, symbolizing divine light.
6The listed price of €4,200 provides a strong anchor for its valuation in the specialized art market.

UNCERTAINTIES

•The icon is sealed within a frame, preventing examination of the panel's back and edges, which are key for age verification.
•Image resolution is insufficient for microscopic examination of the craquelure or pigment.

WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY

→Examine the reverse of the panel for 'shponki' (wooden support slats), their shape and placement, which are indicative of age and school.
→Analyze the wood grain and type to confirm a 19th-century origin.
→Use magnification (a loupe) to inspect the brushwork and the craquelure of the gesso and paint layers.
→A conservator could use UV light to check for any in-painting or modern restorations not visible to the naked eye.

CONDITION & GRADE

Condition

The icon presents in what appears to be excellent condition for its age, housed in a modern gallery display case. The paint layer shows no significant 'ponovleniya' (restorations) or loss from what is visible. The fine details are well-preserved, suggesting it has been cared for properly and likely spent little time in a harsh environment.