Russian Imperial Miniature Icon Commemorating the Engagement of Nicholas and Alexandra
The icon pendant depicting Christ Pantocrator in en plein enamel holding an orb in one hand, his right hand raised in blessing, on a gilt ground within an enamelled silver frame, the reverse inscribed God bless you, 8 April 1901, Aunt Ella, with original ribbon.
Moscow, 1899-1908, maker’s mark HM.
2 1/2 x 1 3/4 in. (6.2 x 4.5 cm).
Sold together with a photographic portrait of a bejewelled Grand Duchess Elizabeth wearing official court costume featuring a traditional Russian kokoshnik, an imperial Star pinned to her Empire-style floral gown, signed in ink Moscou, 1902, Grande Duchesse Serge de Russie
8 1/2 x 6 1/2 in. (21.6 x 16.5 cm). In an original ornate gilt frame with velvet backing enclosed in glass.
Provenance: Formerly property of a European Royal FamilyProvenance: Formerly property of a European Royal Family
*SOLD*
SKU: 120M
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The icon was presented by the Grand Duchess Elizabeth Fedorovna (1864-1918) to Emperor Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra on the seventh anniversary of their engagement. Elizabeth was Alexandra’s older sister and gave presents to the imperial couple every year on this date as she played a major role in their betrothal. Her husband, Grand Duke Serge Alexandrovich (1857-1905), fifth son of Tsar Alexander II of Russia was Governor-General of Moscow for fourteen years. On February 17, 1905, he was murdered by an assassin’s bomb in the Kremlin. After his death, Grand Duchess Elizabeth took the veil and devoted the rest of her life to religious causes. On July 18. 1918, the day after the assassination of the Imperial Family, she too was murdered by the Bolsheviks
