Pages: 277-284

The iconography of a number of small Old Russian icons from the first third of the thirteenth century, made of stone, clay or copper alloy, confirms the tradition, known from written sources, of votive ornaments in the form of gold and silver collars, both wound and sickle-shaped, on particularly venerated icons. The paper examines the sources of this tradition and the influence upon it of international contacts: similar ornaments on sacred images may be traced in Western Europe and among the Cumans. The miniature icons that have been discovered, which reproduce the form of the most venerated icons, supplement our idea of the religious art of Old Rus', the canon of which was received from Byzantium, but was realised in an original manner, reflecting local realities and artistic tastes.

Keywords: Old Russian icons, thirteenth century, metal ornaments, carved and cast images

Information about author:

Irina Sterligova (Moscow, Russian Federation). Candidate of Arts. State Institute for Art Studies. Kozitsky Lane, 5, Moscow, 125000, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]