MOSCOW, CIRCA 1784

Details

A GEMSET SILVER-GILT AND EN PLEIN ENAMEL PECTORAL CROSS
MOSCOW, CIRCA 1784
Of typical form, centering an en plein enameled plaque depicting the cruicified Christ, on a white ground, within a border inset with paste diamonds, rubies and garnets, surmounted by a similarly gemset crown, the reverse of the cross inscribed in Russian to Archimandrite Amfilokhiy and dated 1784, with suspension loop and silver-gilt chain, apparently unmarked
5½ in. (13.9 cm.) high, excluding chain
The inscription on the reverse of the cross reads: 'This cross of the Rostov Yakovlev Monastery is the property of Archimandrite Amfilokhiy. Made in Moscow in 1784 February [?]'

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Lot Essay

Amfilokhiy Leontovich (1729?-1798) took his monastic vows at St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery in Kiev and served at the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius in Sergiev Posad, prior to being elevated to the rank of Archimandrite of Rostov Yakovlev Monastery, where he served from 1776 to 1786. He was consecrated Bishop of Pereyaslav and Borispol in 1795.
The Rostov Yakovlev Monastery was founded in the late fourteenth century by St. Yakov of Rostov. It is venerated as the shrine of St. Dmitri of Rostov (1651-1709).

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