Antique 19th century Russian Icon The Mother of God of Smolensk Smolenskaya

 
Authentic antique, 19th century, finely hand painted on a wooden panel, Russian Orthodox Icon, The Mother of God of Smolensk "Smolenskaya" (Hodigitria or Patron of the wayfarers). 
 
MEASUREMENTS: 29 cm x 21 cm (11.42 inches x 8.27 inches). 
 
CONDITION: The icon is in the original condition, free of repairs or restorations.
The border with remains of the iron nails by which was fastened fabric covering the wood panel of the icon, which previously held a fabric, by which the back of the icon was originally covered.
The icon is in the original condition with a nice old patina. No repairs or restorations.
In the eleventh century, a copy, made in Constantinople, of the Hodegetria Virgin came to the Slavs in the retinue of the Byzantine imperial Princess Anna, who married Prince Vsevelod of Chernigov in 1046 A.D. In 1101 A.D, it was installed in the Cathedral of Smolensk by Prince Vladimir Monomakh. The icon was brought to Moscow in 1308 and returned to Smolensk again in 1456. Many miracles are attributed to the work of the icon, among them the defeat of Napoleon at Borodino, after it was paraded before the Russian Army in 1812.