EUR
CAD
AUD
GBP
MXN
HKD
CNY
MYR
SEK
SGD
CHF
THBA RUSSIAN SILVER-GILT AND CLOISONNÉ ENAMELED ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD OF KAZAN BY S. GALKIN
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Two ways to bid:
- Leave a max absentee bid and the platform will bid on your behalf up to your maximum bid during the live auction.
- Bid live during the auction and your bids will be submitted real-time to the auctioneer.
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $10 |
| $100 | $25 |
| $500 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,000 |
| $2,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $5,000 |
About Auction
LiveFeb 15, 2026
A diverse assemblage of decorative objects from various periods and geographic origins. The group comprises metalwork, ceramics, glass, framed artworks, and other collectible items, selected for their craftsmanship and aesthetic quality. Helios Auctions info@heliosauctions.com
View Full Catalog (249)
- Lot Description
Maker: Semion (Semen) Galkin (С.Г.), Moscow, 1896–1908.
Oil on wood panel; silver-gilt oklad with cloisonné enamel.
A refined and devotional icon of the Kazan Mother of God, rendered with exceptional delicacy of expression and careful tonal modeling, characteristic of high-quality Moscow icon workshops at the end of the 19th century. The Virgin is shown half-length, her head gently inclined toward the Christ Child, who raises His right hand in blessing. The painting exhibits soft sfumato transitions, finely modulated contours, and a subtle emotional gravity befitting the venerated prototype.
The silver-gilt oklad is of superior workmanship, the garments worked in deeply repoussé and chased floral and brocade ornament, producing a rich interplay of matte and polished surfaces. The haloes are elaborately tooled, with finely punched borders and radiating palmette motifs. The corner inscriptions МРѲУ (Mother of God) and ІС ХС (Christ) are executed in cobalt and white cloisonné enamel, along with a lower-left enamel plaque reading "КазанÑк," which identifies the icon’s subject. The effect is one of both opulence and devotion, reflecting the taste of the Moscow merchant and noble classes who commissioned such icons for private chapels and domestic icon corners.
The oklad is stamped with the maker’s mark of Semyon Galkin (С.Г.), one of Moscow’s better-regarded silversmiths of the period, known for refined repoussé drapery work and high-quality gilding. His workshop frequently supplied icons for presentation, milestone commemorations, and pious family inheritances.
Hallmarks: Maker’s mark: С.Г. (Semen Galkin), in oval punch, 84 zolotnik silver proof, Moscow city mark (kokoshnik), corresponding to 1896–1908 assaying standards
Reverse: The panel retains its original fabric backing, hand-inscribed in period script and bearing an early inventory number “1688â€, indicative of long-held domestic veneration. The cloth exhibits the expected fading and handling wear associated with age.
7 x 5 1/2Â in., (18 x 14 cm.)
Condition
The painted image remains fully original, with stable age craquelure evident in the exposed facial and hand areas, consistent with the natural aging of late Imperial tempera panels. No retouching or modern restoration is visible under magnification. The silver-gilt oklad retains a strong, warm gilding tone, with only minor rubbing to the highest relief points. Cloisonné enamel accents are intact, with no losses or repairs noted. Backing cloth worn and toned from age and devotional use. Overall: exceptionally well preserved and of distinguished workshop quality.
- Shipping Info
-
Helios Auctions offers in-house shipping. In case we can not accommodate a shipping request, a list of additional shippers will be provided.
-
- Buyer's Premium
