Bishop's Panagia With The Image Of The Virgin And Child Russian Empire

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. Marks: Maker's mark "AS" in Cyrillic letters within a rectangular cartouche, attributed to Alexei Stepanov; assay mark of the Saint Petersburg Assay Office with the silver standard "84" and city emblem; assay master's mark "O.S." above a line and the date "1888", corresponding to Oskar Stromer, Saint Petersburg, active in the second half of the 1880s. Dimensions: Panagia: height 19 cm, width 10 cm. Chain: length 43 cm. Weight: 255 g. Condition: Good. Minor signs of age and use. Localised losses of certain decorative elements and small enamel damages are present, not affecting the overall perception or structural integrity of the piece. Provenance: Presentation bishop's panagia made in commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878.

The bishop's panagia occupies a central place among the insignia of episcopal rank in the Russian Orthodox Church and represents an important category of 19th-century ecclesiastical jewellery. In the Late Historicism period such objects acquired a pronounced symbolic significance, combining theological meaning, imperial ideology and a commemorative function. Panagias of this type were produced primarily in Saint Petersburg by leading workshops working for the higher clergy and court circles. The use of gilt silver, polychrome enamel and river pearls reflects long-established traditions associated with purity, sanctity and the solemn dignity of the episcopal office. Apostolic and prayer inscriptions emphasise the didactic and spiritual role of the panagia as a personal emblem of faith. The inclusion of imperial heraldry on the reverse is particularly significant. The double-headed eagle within a laurel wreath and the date "1877-1878" refer to the Russo-Turkish War, perceived by contemporaries as a liberating campaign of the Russian Empire. The creation of commemorative ecclesiastical regalia for the jubilee of this war reflects the close intertwining of Church and state symbolism characteristic of late imperial culture. Such panagias were intended for bishops holding prominent positions within the ecclesiastical hierarchy and today are regarded as rare testimonies to the synthesis of religious art, political history and the high level of Saint Petersburg jewellery craftsmanship at the end of the 19th century.