A Russian Cloisonné Enameled Gilt Silver Icon of St. Vladimir Pavel Ovchinnikov, Moscow, 1899-1908 6-5/8 x 4-3/8 x 0-5/8 inches (16.8 x 11.1 x 1.6 cm) PROVENANCE: Sotheby's, New York, July, 1983, lot 48. Pavel Ovchinnikov was born a serf, but evidenced such artistic skill that in 1842, he was sent by Prince Dmitri Volkonsky to apprentice in a Moscow jewelry atelier. By 1850, he was freed from serfdom, and married, using his wife's dowry to purchase his place of employ, and within five years, his staff comprised over 600 craftsmen and apprentices, becoming, as Fabergé Scholars Alexander von Solodkoff noted: "the first business to devote itself entirely to the manufacture of articles in Russian national style" (Solodkoff, Russian Gold and Silver, Trefoil Books, 1981, p. 201). Ovchinnikov opened factories in St. Petersburg and soon became an official supplier to Alexander III, Christian IX of Denmark, and Vittoria Emmanuele II of Italy, and received the Imperial Warrant in 1883. Ovchinnikov died in 1888, and his business was continued by his sons Alexander, Nikolai, Mikhail, and the author of the offered lot, Pavel. The offered lot shows the lighter palette and grace of the later works of the Ovchinnikov firm, with its exquisite coloration. The icon itself is beautifully painted and an excellent example of its type. A related icon of Christ Pantocrator was sold Christie's, London, Russian Art, June 6, 2016, lot 260. Property from the Nelkin Collection HID03101062020 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

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