I am still messing about with post storage triage and totally frustrated about not working on Ramsay House but the end is in sight! I also fell ill with bronchitis and that took its toll too.
I absolutely had to post the images of my recent acquisition freshly arrived this morning.
Some weeks ago I came across an Etsy store specialising in the painting of miniature Icons and based in Moscow Russia. Although their work was indeed miniature it wasn't small enough for 1:12th scale but after a couple of emails to the wonderful Anna and Roman they accepted to make me three icons in various examples of 'smallness' and in fine wood. Just a few days ago I received a photo of the finished work and hardly believing my eyes I paid and waited and today voila!
Russia seems to be a hub of incredible talent and I often come across artisans there who make everything from baskets to jewellery and paintings. I have found many wonderful pieces there in the past, such an incredible people, such an incredible country.
Years ago I was sent to work in Moscow, to design a shop for the Gum, the Red Square department store now home to many famous labels. The project fell through but my time there was a real eye opener as it was barely post 'freedom' and still reeling from the effects of isolation. Once I got over the presence of armed body guards and bullet proof windows I adapted quickly and was able to get free of my 'friends' and discover the city for myself. I even managed to persuade the guards at the gate to let me into the Kremlin and visit the many cathedrals therein. It was the most incredible experience as I was almost alone and could take in the sheer scale and effect of the architecture.
In the first photo you can not comprehend the scale so look at the second one!
The ruler is in centimètres not inches. I am so enthralled by the detail even in the tiny tiny one that is just a sneeze away from being lost in time. The toothpicks give an even more astonishing idea of scale and detail.
I had them painted to put into the Chinoiserie bedroom where I wanted to mix elements of different cultures. I am now terrified that I will lose these pieces so I have to find a way of setting them into small alters in order to be able to handle them.
From their store you can get an idea of the price of their work which is incredibly accessible for such museum quality art work. I am fortunate to have them and they will add to my small collection of original art in Ramsay House.
I will definitely go back and purchase more and have an idea to do a wall of them!
https://www.etsy.com/shop/OrthodoxSmallIcon
Dear Mrs. M. These little sacred icons are excuisite! Even with the toothsticks as proof it is hard to believe that they are that small. They have after all quite some details like the strands of hair or the folds in their garments.
ReplyDeleteA great acquisition.
Mr. H.
Mr H, yes when I opened the package I could hardly believe it, I am so pleased and they are such a nice couple and cute too !! huggsss
DeleteWow! They really are impressive! And agreed re attaching them to something immediately so they don’t get lost!
ReplyDeleteYes I really think that a mini shrine will keep them safe, thinking of ordering more and have a group of them on a wall. Big huggg
DeleteThe icons are really remarkable - tiny masterpieces!
ReplyDeleteA lifetime ago I visited the USSR (as it was still called back then) as a tourist. I don't remember what year it was, but Gorbachev was in power, back then. My tour group got to visit the interior of the Gum department store. I do remember a lot of ironwork railings, a fountain on an upper floor, which did not work, and many closed booths/shops. Most of Gum was empty back then. There was one booth, which sold fabric (a colorful flower print on a black background). Here stretched a long line of Russian women, waiting for their chance to buy some fabric and make some dresses, possibly.
A group of male teenagers followed us around Red Square, trying to buy the American sneakers (Reebok) directly off of my then boyfriend's feet. They had LPs with Russian music to trade. But, he was travelling with only this one pair of shoes, so it was no deal.
I have very fond memories of this trip because it was so very unique, and I saw so many interesting things. The museum inside the Kremlin, which houses the Faberge eggs, for example, was supposedly closed until our tour guide presented the Babushkas fiercely guarding the entrance with small solar powered calculators as gifts! Suddenly, the museum was open! I was so glad, it wasn't our tour guides 'first rodeo'!
What a great story ! When I visited the Gum it was half empty, the big labels had not yet invaded the city. It was a sad neglected place and there was a lot of poverty in the city. I remember that the first Macdonalds opened and you had to book a table! imagine ! Huggss
DeleteOh my, they are absolutely exquisite. I can't even begin to get my head around painting such tiny details. What treasures to have in your collection.
ReplyDeleteYes they must have used one hair brushes, if you saw them for real you would hardly beleive the detail, amazing Russians, so much talent, huggsss
DeleteSon delicados,finos,exquisitos,unas pequeñas obras de arte!!!!
ReplyDeleteBesos.
I love Icons and would love to have big ones in my house to this satisfies me in many ways !!! besososososos
DeleteThese three tiny icons are indeed wonderful glowing treasures...there are amazing artisans tucked into many corners of the world and locating these two in Russia was a delightful find! Cheers, Alayne
ReplyDeleteHello there Miss Butterfly ! The great thing about Etsy is that most of the crafters take orders and can adapt to our needs, it makes almost anything possible. I use two English companies found on Etsy for the furniture that I cannot make and they are charming and their prices are very reasonable compared to high end ready made stuff. Bigg hugg
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