A Cretan Icon of the Virgin Hodegetria, attributed to Andreas Ritzos (1421-1492), Crete, mid 15th century

the Virgin is depicted half-length, turned slightly to the right and inclined toward the Christ Child, whom she holds in her left arm while gesturing in supplication with her right; she wears a dark green tunic, a purple maphorion with gold borders and tasselled ornaments, and a gold-bordered veil; Christ, clothed in a white tunic and a gold himation, turns His gaze upward toward His mother, blessing her with His right hand and holding a closed scroll in His left; the panel enclosed in a modern frame in the Venetian style,

the panel: 34 x 24.7 x 2 cm; 13 1/4 x 9 3/4 x 3/4 in.

the frame: 52 x 48.5 cm; 20 3/8 x 18 7/8 in.

We are grateful to Ivan Samarine for his assistance in cataloguing this lot.