In this standard depiction of Nicholas, he is shown with the key characteristics ascribed to him. He wears a bishop’s stole about his neck. With his right hand he delivers a blessing. With his left hand he holds an open book of Gospels revealing a variant of Luke 6:17 “At that time Jesus stood on the plain, and a multitude of his disciples…” In a small circle to the left of his head is Christ presenting the Gospels to Nicholas. On the right, the Mother of God presenting him with the bishop’s omofor (stole) which she is said to have given him when he was imprisoned. The entire icon is overlaid with a finely crafted silver-gilt repoussé and chased riza. The corners with decorative multi-color cloisonné plaques. The head of Nicholas encircled with an elaborate cloisonné halo. The Gospel text and title plaque in champleve enamel. The robes of Nicholas overlaid with finely crafted silver filigree. The enameled title plaque on the lower margin identifies the subject. In abbreviated Old Church Slavonic it reads “The Holy Nicholas Wonderworker of Myra.” The riza is hallmarked Moscow, with date marks for 1899-1908, and with Cyrillic makers mark “S.Zh.,” probably for noted silversmith Sergiy Ivanovich Zharkov.
previous
next