Pendant Icon of Our Lady of Kazan

1915

Pendant Icon of Our Lady of Kazan, 1915. House of Fabergé (Russian, 1842–1918). Silver, enamel, glass; overall: 20.3 x 15.2 cm (8 x 6 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of the Hiller-Borneman Collection 2021.160 One of the most revered icons in the Russian Orthodox church, Our Lady of Kazan represents the Virgin Mary as the patroness of the city of Kazan and the Holy Protectress of Russia. Fabergé embellished this icon with cloisonné (partitioned) enamel in a striking palette, as well as beaded ornaments and spiral motifs in the pan-Slavic/Neo-Russian style. Similar to the Arts and Crafts movements, the pan-Slavic/Neo-Russian style turned to earlier handicraft traditions for inspiration.