As promised, here they are! Our new acquisition of 10, double sided Minyeia icons, circa 1660 with 19th century additions. Read below to learn why these are especially unique! These Minyeias (calendar icons) were likely commissioned by Prince Dmitry Andreevich Stroganov in the 1660s and made especially for him in his own, private, icon-making studios. The writing found at the bottom of each icon indicates they were private possession of Dmitry Stroganov. The iconographers were most likely monks (as well as serfs who were also icon painters) who staffed Stroganovs Annunciation Cathedral Monastery in Solvyrchegodsk (North East from Moscow, toward Siberia). By the 19th century, after being worn from use, the icons were repaired by Palekh craftsmen-icon painters, in a technique derived from the ancient Stroganov style. The 19th century decoration on the edges of the panels is very delicate and refined. The care given to the restoration indicates the value placed on these icons, at that time. The Stroganov style was the original “miniaturist” technique used in Russian icons. Very meticulous and refined it could only be supported by very wealthy patrons. The Stroganovs dominated the salt and precious metals trade from that area and owned vast lands that made them the wealthiest Russian princes after the Romanovs and, therefore, able to commission such pieces. These are considered unique - an often misused word but useful in this case - because there are no other Stroganov calendar icons known to exist! One mystery remains; where are the missing two and when did they get lost? There should be 12, one to represent each month on the year, and we only have 10 (there are 20 images shown here because each one is double sided). Even the small, cotton-made pouch that accompanied them contains 12 slots. The pouch could be 19th century. Maybe they were lost in the pre-Revolution period when Nicholas I started to persecute Old Believers and demand that all their icons be sent to him for safe keeping, maybe not. Whatever the reason, we are excited to welcome these into our collection and, who knows, maybe the missing two will find their way back?!
Posted on: Thu, 30 Jan 2014 19:52:10 +0000
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