Lot 130: 2 Eastern Orthodox Icons, Lamentation and Otechestvo

Two (2) Greek or Russian Eastern Orthodox painted icons on gilt panels. Item 1: Oil on wood panel Lamentation at the Cross icon with the Virgin Mary and Saint John the Evangelist flanking the crucified Christ, and God the Father and the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove above, 19th century or earlier. An ornate, painted and incised gilt border surrounds the scene, with Mary of Clopas and Mary Magdalene in niches at left and right. 14" H x 12" W. Item 2: Oil on wood panel Otechestvo or Fatherhood icon with God the Father seated with the youthful Christ on his lap and the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove between them. God's left foot rests on a red seraphim below. An ornate, painted and incised gilt border with two saints depicted in niches, possibly Mary and Joseph, surrounds the trinity. 12 1/4" x 10" 1/4". 19th or early 20th century.

PROVENANCE: The estate of Thelma Schlicher, by descent from the estate of U.S. Ambassador Ronald Schlicher, Brentwood, TN. Note: Tennessee native Ron Schlicher entered the foreign service in 1982, working primarily in the Middle East. He returned to TN after retiring in 2011. Among his many diplomatic roles, he served as Ambassador to Cyprus, U.S. Principal Deputy Assistant Coordinator of Counterterrorism, and was director of the Iraq Task Force during the 2003 war with Iraq.

CONDITION: 1st item with flaking to paint layer and scattered retouching throughout, largest to center left edge of central scene, behind the Virgin Mary, and to body of saint in left border, 2 1/2" x 3" area. See U/V photography. With accretion to lower right of Virign Mary and background, 1" x 1/4," and 7" L crack without loss extends from center left edge of panel to Saint John. 2nd item in overall very good condition with minor craquelure throughout plus minor flaking to paint layer, especially to forehead of God and left border, largest 3/8" x 3/16" area to left border.