19th century Russian icon

Russian icon of the XIX century.
"Mother of God source of life".
Tempera on wood with sterling silver oklad with hallmarks A.C. by Moscow silversmith Alexcaudr Vladislavovovich Skouronsky, ca. 1895.
Shows signs of use and wear. Needs to be cleaned. The frame is missing.
Measurements: 16 x 13 cm; 36 x 33 cm (frame).

The interest of this lot lies, to a great extent, in the oklad, the plaque that covers part of its surface. The tradition of decorating icons with oklad appears after the mandate of the Most Holy Ruling Synod of 1722, when it was forbidden to hang metal crosses on the icons and to leave offerings in the form of coins, since this tradition had pagan roots. This applied decoration is found almost everywhere in the world, but it is more widespread in Central and Eastern Europe. And in the Orthodox tradition, the manufacture of these items became a separate kind of art and craftsmanship: many travelers noted with admiration in their diaries the luxury of Ukrainian and Russian shrines. The material for specialized craftsmen were noble metals, brass, copper and even tin. The wrought iron base was completed with semi-precious stones, reliefs, engravings, enamels, filigree, stained glass and enamels. The back was lined with soft red or purple velvet, or covered with wax. There were also embroidered oklad, in which the sturdy fabric was adorned with pearls and beads.
Oklads not only have an aesthetic purpose, but also a practical one. Icons painted on wood suffer from soot from candles, humidity, temperature fluctuations and are continually touched by parishioners. Likewise, the paint darkens, mars, cracks and rubs off. The oklad or "curl", another term used, protects the icons from damaging effects, prolonging their life span.
As with icon painting, the materials used in making a decorative oklad have their own particular symbolism, which can tell a lot about the icon hidden underneath. For example, in the case of the auctioned icon, the main material, silver, symbolizes purity and virtue, deliverance from sins and salvation of the soul.