Beschreibung:

Comprising a fine Russian presentation icon of Saints Kosmas and Damian, Ivan Malyshev, 1882. Finely painted on an ornately incised gilt ground with extensive gilt shading as is typical of icons from the Malyshev workshop. Here are depicted Saints Kosmas (left) and Damian (right) below an icon of the Feodorovskaya Mother of God. The two saints were twin brothers who lived in Asia and were martyred in the 3rd century. The title inscribed above their head includes the distinctive term bezsrebrennik, meaning literally without silver, because they accepted no money in payment for their services. They each hold a medicine box, and are invoked for aid in studies. A dedication is inscribed within the cartouche along the lower border which reads, To Protoyerey of the Transfiguration Temple in the city of Galich, instructor Olegont Ivanovich Rozov, in memory of his 25th anniversary of religious service from former student Georgiy Ivanovich Babushkin on the 1st day of November in the year 1882." (November 1st is the feast day the two Saints). Also inscribed below the two Saints, although in miniature, is the following: "This icon was painted in the workshop of the artist Malyshev in Sergiy Posad." On the reverse of this icon is also inscribed, "This image was blessed upon the relics of the Venerable Sergiy of Radonezh." Additionally, the reverse of the icon exhibits a customized stamp of the artist I. M. Malyshev. While not unheard of on earlier icons, the practice of signing icons did not become widespread until the 19th century. 14 inches x 12 inches (35.5 x 30.5 cm).