Annunciation, Novgorod, early 16th century (vrezka)

set against a stylised architectural background, the Archangel Gabriel swiftly striding towards the Mother of God with spread wings and a blowing mantle, raising his hand in blessing while Mary turns on her seat greeting the unexpected visitor, her hand open accepting God's grace, in the lower right corner the maiden looking up at the scene whilst holding a thread of wool in her hand

The background has been stripped to the levkas, some minor retouching especially along the split where the two panels have been put together and in the two red velums in the upper part
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The combination of elongated and monumental figures with the bright colours and typical highlights in greyish blue and white, especially on the mantle of Gabriel, point to a provenance from Novgorod. This is confirmed by the specific iconography of the 'turning' Mother of God, a typical feature of Novgorod icon painting, and the addition of the spinning maiden.

This detail alludes to a passage from the apocryphal proto-gospel of Jacob, according to which Mary was spinning purple thread for the curtains for the Temple in Jerusalem to be made by eight virgins from the house of David. Many years later, during Christ's crucifixion when the earth shook, the Temple curtains for which Mary had spun thread, were rent in two.

This icon used to be part of a Royal door and was transferred into another panel in the 19th century.