Virgin and Child from the Soumela Monastery

Silver replica of an icon with the Virgin and Child from the historic Soumela Monastery at Trebizond (18^th - 19^th century). In the metalliferous region of Pontos the flourishing Greek populations, among them the many miners and goldsmiths, honoured their churches with precious dedications. The original features repousse silver revetment. The practice of sheathing portable icons with silver gilt or even enameled coverings is attested from as early as the 11^th century and has remained alive in Orthodox art to this day.