Russian Icon - Authentic 19th Century - Egg Tempra and Gesso on Wood

Description

Mother of God icon holding the Christ Child. Nicely painted with egg tempera with gesso on wood surrounded by Brass/oklad metal rizza  with stunning repousse work.
Unlike many icons showing Mother and Child, this icon incorporates the Christ Child's hand - often seen in a separate cut out - over the Mother's heart instead. Time and possibly candle soot have darkened this portion of the painted icon. It has been not been restored as occasionally happens thus suggesting grater authenticity.
As with so many icons of the mid 19th century, provenance is nearly impossible to determine with out documented origin, signature and date. Crackling of the painted surfaces speaks to the authenticity and age of the icon. In Russia, icons could be found everywhere from churches to homes to hospitals and the battlefield. There is no way to determine the exact date of this piece, but it would not be out of line to suggest it is probably from the early to mid 1800's.
The wooden backing upon which the icon has been painted has bowed slightly. The dimensions are 15/16" X 7-1/4" X 8-5/16" or 2.4 cm X 18.4 cm X 21.11 cm.
This icon is being sold unframed.