Russian Copper Icons and Crosses from the Kunz Collection: Castings of Faith

Abstract

This study of Old Russian metallic “traveling” icons features eight distinct discussions: Russia, 1600-1900 (a general history); Russian Orthodox theology and icons, 1600-1900; iconographic form and content in the Kunz collection; technology and conservation of metallic icons in the Kunz collection; icons in daily use (three commentaries); and Old Believers and the manufacturing of copper-alloy icons. The eight essays are followed by an illustrated catalog of the Smithsonian Institution's 1988 exhibit of Kunz collection pieces. There is also a table listing the content analyses of 22 metallic icons, an index of major iconographic subjects found in the Kunz collection, a glossary of terms used in this study, and a selected bibliography. It is projected that this presentation of technical and cultural information regarding metallic icons will provide both a reference source and the inspiration for additional technical, typological, and social studies.