An oval bishop’s panagia, executed in silver with gilt, representing an outstanding example of Russian ecclesiastical jewellery of the Late Historicism period. At the centre of the obverse is a medallion in polychrome enamel depicting the Virgin and Child, rendered in the iconographic tradition of Orthodox miniature painting. The medallion is encircled by a border of river pearls, emphasising the sacred character of the object. Running around the perimeter of the obverse is an engraved inscription in Church Slavonic with an apostolic moral exhortation: “BE AN EXAMPLE TO THE FAITHFUL IN WORD, IN CONDUCT, IN LOVE, IN SPIRIT, IN FAITH, IN PURITY”. The body of the panagia is richly decorated with a complex relief ornament of ribbons and vegetal motifs forming a balanced four-part composition, characteristic of ceremonial episcopal regalia of the late 19th century.
The reverse is adorned with a relief double-headed eagle of the House of Romanov, set within a laurel wreath symbolising military glory and state authority. At the top of the composition, on an unfurled ribbon, is the inscription: “GOD IS WITH US”. Around the perimeter runs a prayer inscription: “SAVE US, PROTECT US, O LORD, FOR THE LIGHT OF CHRIST ENLIGHTENS ALL”, accompanied by the date “1877–1878”, indicating the commemorative connection with the events of the Russo-Turkish War. The panagia is surmounted by a crown with a cross, attached by a movable hinged fitting. A silver chain composed of pierced links in the form of Orthodox crosses is suspended from the crown. At the lower part of the composition hangs an additional circular medallion decorated with an enamelled cross.
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SILVER Seller in Riga, Latvia
