Ikone - lessed Princes Feodor Rostislavich Cherny (The Black) of Smolensk and Yaroslavl, with his sons - Holz - Hallmarked. Dated 1826

A Scarce and Beautifully Documented 200-Year-Old Piece of Russian Imperial History. A Rare Russian Icon (dated 1826) of St. Feodor, David & Konstantin – Silver Frame 84 Zolotnik – Arkhangelsk 1826 – Master ЕЖ

Technique: Oil on wooden board, housed in a finely chiselled solid silver frame.
Hallmarks: Fully hallmarked (Assayer Б.Д / 1826, Purity 84, Maker ЕЖ)
Inscriptions: Features an original, handwritten Old Church Slavonic/Cyrillic title inscription in the upper right quadrant, identifying the holy subjects

This early 19th-century Russian icon depicts the Holy Wonderworkers and Blessed Princes Feodor Rostislavich Cherny along with his saintly sons, David and Konstantin—the revered holy patrons of Yaroslavl.

Advanced "Fryazhskoye" Academic CompositionUnlike standard icons of the period which feature flat, static backgrounds, this composition is highly sophisticated. Executed in the Westernizing, academic style (Fryazhskoye Pis'mo) popularized during the late Alexander I era, the scene features:

- An intricate church interior rendering realistic depth, perspective, and three-dimensionality.
- A detailed altar to the left, adorned with a miniature liturgical book and a crucifix.
- A fascinating "icon-within-an-icon" element in the background, depicting a distinct painting of the Resurrection.

The original theological context is fully preserved via a handwritten Old Church Slavonic title inscription in the upper right quadrant, officially identifying the holy subjects.

Rare Provincial Hallmarking (Arkhangelsk)What makes this lot highly collectible and rare for connoisseurs is the pristine, complete suite of Imperial hallmarks stamped on its original, hand-chiselled silver frame. While the market is flooded with pieces from Moscow and St. Petersburg, this frame features rare provincial stamps:

- Assayer Mark (Б.Д over 1826): Confirms inspection in the year 1826 by the documented Imperial Assay Master Boris Denisov (Борис Денисов), who operated out of the northern trade hub of Arkhangelsk.

- Purity Mark (84): The official czarist guarantee of 84 Zolotniks (87.5% pure solid silver).

- Maker's Mark (ЕЖ): The personal stamp of a registered master silversmith workshop, historically attributed to renowned imperial artisans Egor Zolotarev or Egor Zhilin, who excelled in high-quality liturgical frameworks.

Condition report:

The item is sold as-is with visible, age-appropriate defects that confirm its 200-year history.Painting & Inscription: The oil on board shows typical age wear, including fine craquelure and minor surface paint loss. The complex background details (altar, crucifixion, background painting) and the original text inscription remain in their authentic antique state. The wooden panel shows expected minor warping but remains structurally stable.

Silver Frame: The chiselled silver frame remains in good antique condition with sharp decorative details. It exhibits minor historic tarnishing, tiny surface abrasions, and superficial scuffs consistent with handling over two centuries.

Estimated Value: €2,500 – €3,500 EUR