Rare Antique Russian Ikon brought back by British Soldier who was part of the North Russian Relief Force in 1919 with Provenance
Here on offer is a rare antique Russian Ikon brought back by British soldier who was part of the North Russian Relief Force (NRRF) in 1919, with a letter of provenance and photo.
It comes with a typed letter from the soldier (with its spelling mistakes) that is also signed by H. Scarlett, the soldier who found it and reads:
The history of this Eikon or Heikon
I found in the darkest corner, high up against the ceiling in a derelict house, which had suffered destruction, by the action of the Revolutionary Army of Russia (The Bolsheviks) in a small village called UST VAGA about 200 miles (320 KM) up the river Dvina from Archangel on a tributary river called VAGA, whilst serving with the 1st North Russian Relief Force in 1919.
In all probability it is one of the Patron Saints of the Russian Orthodox Church. An interpreter told me it was placed there in the belief that it would keep away the evil spirits from the house.
(A somewhat unique ornament is it not)
No.5608314.
1st Bn Devon Regt.
(1st World War)
1916 to 1923
7 years regular service.
Signed H. Scarlett
A kind member of the Facebook group NRRF, provided me with the following information.
Pte. H. Scarlett served with 1st Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry in North Russia May-September 1919.
1OBLI was a 'composite' battalion made up of soldiers from a number of regiments. 'C' Company, 1OBLI was made up entirely of regular soldiers of the Devonshire Regiment.
Ust Vaga is a village at the mouth of the Vaga River where it joins the Northern Severnaya Dvina River. Some of the villages from the time were renamed or no longer exist, Ust Vaga however does.
The North Russia Relief Force was an Allied expeditionary force that supported the Russian front against Germany between 1918 and 1919. The force was made up of volunteers, regular soldiers, and men who had enlisted for two to four years. The force included some Australian volunteers, including three officers and six sergeants.
The force's purpose was to:
Cover the withdrawal of British, US, and other anti-Bolshevik forces.
Extract the force after the Armistice and the Russian winter.
The force arrived in North Russia in June 1919, and all British forces were evacuated by September 1919. General Henry Rawlinson led the expedition.
The Ikon itself is in excellent condition and has been kept protected inside a framed glass fronted “shadow box”.
The back of the Ikon retains the original Russian maker’s label.
The typed letter shows some age staining and comes with a photo of Pte. H. Scarlett in uniform and is dated on the reverse 10th May 1919, Crowborough, England, so just before he left for Russia.
The outer case measures 11.5” (29.2cm) by 9.75” (24.8cm) by 2.75” (7cm).
The Ikon itself is approximately 8.25” (21cm) by 6.75” (17.2cm).
In the frame it weighs a heavy 1.8Kg.
Please see my pictures for the details of the condition, which complement this description.
Please see my TERMS OF BUSINESS regarding Deliver Charges and Insurance regarding additional insurance cover, should you require it, BEFORE the item is dispatched.
The responsibility lies with the customer to check with your Customs restrictions that this item can be imported into your country.
Thank you for taking the time to look.
Code: 51496