Extremely fine late 18th century Russian icon depicting the Mother of God, Hodigitria of Smolensk. A great example of the finesse of the Palech workshops. Painted on a gold leaf background in a very fine hand, the robes of the Virgin and Child decorated with extremely fine chrysografy. Left of the shoulder of the Virgin in a very fine hand in Old Church Slavic: : " Obras presutaja Bogoroditsa Hodigitria Smolenskaja": Image of the All Holy Mother of God who has beared the Lord, Hodigitria of Smolensk". The icon is embellished with a hand hammered gilt rizza finely engraved with leaf and flower patterns. Sticker on the back: Sold by Borzo, 's Hertogenbosch. 31,5 x 27 cm. This icon is in a very good state of preservation.