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Late 19th-century Russian Orthodox, Crucifixion Icon with Blue Enamelling
Sold by Brave Fine Art
sold SA1130301
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
Brave Fine Art

Brave Fine Art

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Late 19th-century Russian Orthodox, Crucifixion Icon with Blue Enamelling

19th century
Sold 31 March 2025 · Brave Fine Art
This “Late 19th-century Russian Orthodox, Crucifixion Icon with Blue Enamelling” found a buyer.

It was listed by Brave Fine Art. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

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Description

This exquisite late 19th-century Russian crucifixion icon depicts Christ on the cross at Golgotha. It’s comprised of silver copper alloy with areas of blue enamelling and detailed relief work.

Popular during the 18th and 19th centuries, metal icons offered both portability and durability, enabling the owner to carry a token of their faith at all times. They often survived continual use and, as such, were passed down through generations of the same family.

The Orthodox cross is similar to the Christian cross with the addition of a crossbeam as Christ’s feet. In Greek churches, the crossbeam is straight but in Russia, it’s slanted. As you can see, it’s slanted upwards towards Christ’s right hand to represent the belief that followers ascend to Heaven, while non-believers descend to Hell.

Also known as ‘blessing crosses’, iconography was often consistently reused. At the very top is an image of God depicted as an elderly bearded man, together with two angels. These are facing diagonally downwards towards Christ, who is flanked on either side by the initials IC and XC, which is an abbreviation of ‘Jesus Christ’.

Alongside the cross, two lines ascend from the lower portion. The first, on the left, represents the spear used to pierce Christ’s body. The second, on the right, is a reed with a sponge used to provide Christ with vinegar to drink. Finally, at the foot of the cross lies the skull of Adam.

The reverse bears extensive inscriptions and it's held in a later ebonised mount. Previously in the collection of icon specialists, Richardson & Kailas.

Medium: Silver copper alloy with areas of blue enamelling and detailed relief work.

Overall size: 5½” x 8½” / 14cm x 22cm

Year of creation: c. 1880

Labels & Inscriptions: Extensively inscribed on the reverse.

Provenance: With Richardson & Kailas, Specialist in Icons (2001) / Private collection, UK.

Condition: Light age-related wear.

Our reference: BRV2091

Date of Manufacture

Brave Fine Art has dated this Russian Orthodox Crucifix to the 1880s.

Physical Dimensions
Height
22cm (8.66")
Width
14cm (5.51")
Depth
1cm (0.39")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1130301
Description
This exquisite late 19th-century Russian crucifixion icon depicts Christ on the cross at Golgotha. It’s comprised of silver copper alloy with areas of blue enamelling and detailed relief work.
“
Popular during the 18th and 19th centuries, metal icons offered both portability and durability, enabling the owner to carry a token of their faith at all times.
Brave Fine Art

They often survived continual use and, as such, were passed down through generations of the same family.

fig 1. A cast bronze Russian Orthodox crucifix featuring blue enamelling and detailed figural iconography.
fig 1. Late 19th-century Russian Orthodox, Crucifixion Icon with Blue Enamelling

The Orthodox cross is similar to the Christian cross with the addition of a crossbeam as Christ’s feet. In Greek churches, the crossbeam is straight but in Russia, it’s slanted. As you can see, it’s slanted upwards towards Christ’s right hand to represent the belief that followers ascend to Heaven, while non-believers descend to Hell.

fig 2. A cast bronze Russian Orthodox crucifix featuring blue enamelling and detailed figural iconography.
fig 2. Late 19th-century Russian Orthodox, Crucifixion Icon with Blue Enamelling

Also known as ‘blessing crosses’, iconography was often consistently reused. At the very top is an image of God depicted as an elderly bearded man, together with two angels. These are facing diagonally downwards towards Christ, who is flanked on either side by the initials IC and XC, which is an abbreviation of ‘Jesus Christ’.

fig 3. A cast bronze Russian Orthodox crucifix featuring blue enamelling and detailed figural iconography.
fig 3. Late 19th-century Russian Orthodox, Crucifixion Icon with Blue Enamelling

Alongside the cross, two lines ascend from the lower portion. The first, on the left, represents the spear used to pierce Christ’s body. The second, on the right, is a reed with a sponge used to provide Christ with vinegar to drink. Finally, at the foot of the cross lies the skull of Adam.

fig 4. A cast bronze Russian Orthodox crucifix featuring blue enamelling and detailed figural iconography.
fig 4. Late 19th-century Russian Orthodox, Crucifixion Icon with Blue Enamelling

The reverse bears extensive inscriptions and it's held in a later ebonised mount. Previously in the collection of icon specialists, Richardson & Kailas.

Medium: Silver copper alloy with areas of blue enamelling and detailed relief work.

fig 5. A cast bronze Russian Orthodox crucifix featuring blue enamelling and detailed figural iconography.
fig 5. Late 19th-century Russian Orthodox, Crucifixion Icon with Blue Enamelling

Overall size: 5½” x 8½” / 14cm x 22cm

Year of creation: c. 1880

Labels & Inscriptions: Extensively inscribed on the reverse.

Provenance: With Richardson & Kailas, Specialist in Icons (2001) / Private collection, UK.

Condition: Light age-related wear.

Our reference: BRV2091

Date of Manufacture

Brave Fine Art has dated this Russian Orthodox Crucifix to the 1880s.

Height
22cm (8.66")
Width
14cm (5.51")
Depth
1cm (0.39")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1130301
Brave Fine Art
Brave Fine Art
Sellingantiques verified Since Nov 2018

Exquisite antique paintings that capture the imagination.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Brave Fine Art Profile Page

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A cast bronze Russian Orthodox crucifix featuring blue enamelling and detailed figural iconography. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
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Archive I A cast bronze Russian Orthodox crucifix featuring blue enamelling and detailed figural iconography. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

Late 19th-century Russian Orthodox, Crucifixion Icon with Blue Enamelling

Archive II A cast bronze Russian Orthodox crucifix featuring blue enamelling and detailed figural iconography. View II
Archive III A cast bronze Russian Orthodox crucifix featuring blue enamelling and detailed figural iconography. View III
Archive IV A cast bronze Russian Orthodox crucifix featuring blue enamelling and detailed figural iconography. View IV
Archive V A cast bronze Russian Orthodox crucifix featuring blue enamelling and detailed figural iconography. View V
Archive VI A cast bronze Russian Orthodox crucifix featuring blue enamelling and detailed figural iconography. View VI
Archive VII A cast bronze Russian Orthodox crucifix featuring blue enamelling and detailed figural iconography. View VII
Archive VIII A cast bronze Russian Orthodox crucifix featuring blue enamelling and detailed figural iconography. View VIII
Enlarged Archival View
Brave Fine Art

Brave Fine Art
Telephone 01684 215986
Location
21 Enterprise Way
Arle Road
Cheltenham
Cotswolds
GL51 8LZ
United Kingdom

Under appointment only.
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/bravefineart
Verified Since Nov 2018
Items For Sale 76
Items Sold 1,853
Brave Fine Art
Brave Fine Art
Verified Since Nov 2018
View Dealer Info
Location: 21 Enterprise Way, Arle Road, Cheltenham, Cotswolds, GL51 8LZ, United Kingdom, , Under appointment only.
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/bravefineart
Verified
Nov 2018
For Sale
76
Sold
1,853
A cast bronze Russian Orthodox crucifix featuring blue enamelling and detailed figural iconography.
Late 19th-Century Russian Orthodox, Crucifixion Icon With Blue Enamelling
Ref: SA1130301
A cast bronze Russian Orthodox crucifix featuring blue enamelling and detailed figural iconography.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
Detail View 7
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectReligious Icons
  • Period19th century
  • StyleRussian Orthodox
  • MaterialBronze, Enamel
  • ColourBlue and Brass
  • MotifsEight-pointed cross, Cyrillic inscriptions, Champleve enamelling, Figural relief casting
  • SizeH 22 cm (9 in) x W 14 cm (6 in) x D 1 cm (0 in)

FAQs

Russian Orthodox crucifixes often feature an eight-pointed design incorporating the top board for the inscription and the slanted footrest, symbolising the balance of justice during the Crucifixion.

These pieces were typically cast in copper alloy, brass, or bronze, frequently enhanced with colourful vitreous champleve or cloisonne enamelling applied to recessed areas.

Authentic pieces generally display period-appropriate casting irregularities, Cyrillic script inscriptions, natural patination, and glass-based enamels rather than modern synthetic resins.

Such devotional objects can be mounted on a neutral wall within a shadow box or displayed on a specialist display stand as a focal point in a study or living space.

Preservation requires keeping the item away from direct sunlight, maintaining stable humidity levels, and avoiding abrasive cleaning agents that could damage the enamel or patina.
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