An exhibit sponsored by Ben and Beverly Stribling and Mary Hudspeth from the Collection of Gary Hollingsworth
Saint John the Forerunner
Before
Russia's conversion to Christianity in 988 AD Byzantine travelers, soldiers
and prisoners brought metal crosses and icons to Russia. This tradition was
passed on to the Russians, who began making their own icons and crosses after
their conversion.
When we think of icons we generallythink of images painted on wood but there are other types as well. An icon can be carved into wood, sewn onto cloth or cast in metal. Spiritually there is no distinction between painted and metal icons in the Orthodox religion in Russia. Cast icons are simply metal versions of painted icons. They are usually a re-creation of an existing image or pattern but are not necessarily the exact same size, coloring or style. The primary sources for these images are the Old Testament and liturgical texts of the Orthodox Church.
Traditional icons are nonrealistic and stylized in appearance to reveal the spiritual and timeless nature of the figures they depict. They were intended to move believers to prayer and meditation.
Cast metal icons and crosses were particularly popular in the 18th and 19th centuries and were a specialty of the Old Believers, a conservative sect in Russian Orthodoxy. Many sizes and types of metal icons were created. Some had single images while others were combined into elaborate folding icons joined by hinges.
Metal icons had three virtues: affordability, durability and portability. They could be conveniently folded up, placed in a pocket and taken along on a journey. They survived the rigors of use that would have quickly damaged a painted icon.
Some metal icons were attached to a cord and worn around the neck despite being uncomfortably large and heavy. But, there were also smaller cast icons and pectoral crosses that could be worn with less discomfort. Very large metal icons would have been displayed in the home along with painted icons. They would have been placed in the eastern corner, known as the "beautiful corner", which was dedicated to religious rituals in an Orthodox home.
San Angelo Museum
of Fine Arts
One Love Street
San Angelo, Texas 76903
Fax: (325) 658 - 6800
Phone: (325) 653 -
3333
e-mail:
museum@samfa.org