W.J. Sanders’ latest restoration honours both sacred tradition and silversmithing excellence, reviving two religious Russian icons in stunning detail.
In a recent project that married heritage craftsmanship with spiritual reverence, W.J.Sanders had the privilege of restoring two stunning Russian Orthodox icons. These sacred images, one of Christ Pantocrator and the other of the Mother of God with Christ, once graced a private prayer setting or church within Imperial Russia.
Hand-painted on traditional wooden panels and adorned with finely wrought silver oklads (covers), these icons were designed not only to inspire devotion but also to exemplify the rich craftsmanship of the Russian Orthodox tradition. Each bears the prestigious 84 zolotnik hallmark (indicating 87.5% silver purity), along with a probable maker's mark in Cyrillic, a dare mark, believed to be 1855, and the imperial double-headed eagle. Together, these marks confirm the icons' 19th-century origin and their creation by a master silversmith during the Romanov era.
When this piece arrived in the workshop, it was clear time had not been kind. Tarnish dulled the silver's brilliance, and sections of the repoussé oklads were damaged or missing. Our restoration process began with the careful separation of the silver from the painted panels beneath; ensuring the sacred artworks remained untouched and preserved in their original state.
The silverwork underwent a meticulous revival. Controlled chemical cleaning and delicate scratch-brushing lifted decades of oxidation without compromising detail. Damaged elements were reshaped, missing portions faithfully recreated using period authentic techniques, and all sections expertly re-joined and aligned. The repoussé and chasing were redefined by hand, returning depth and movement to the once-muted surfaces.
This restoration required a strong foundation in traditional silversmithing. Antique repoussé work involves more than surface detail; it demands a practical understanding of how historical silver alloys respond to pressure and heat. Restoring the missing sections meant matching the original maker's lines and forms, which called for steady hammer control and attention to the metal's natural tension. Recreating these elements wasn't just
a matter of replication. lt required interpreting the period's stylistic language and carefully hand-raising and planishing the silver to tight tolerances. Once shaped, the surface was engraved and chased using historically appropriate tools.
The process is slow and exacting; one misstep can compromise both structure and appearance, but that level of discipline was essential to return the piece to a condition that respects its origins and craftsmanship.
To complete the restoration, the silver was polished, selectively gold-plated, and colour treated, reviving its luminous interplay of texture and cone. The wooden panels were also structurally reinforced, ensuring these icons can endure for generations to come.
What was once dulled and fragmented has been reborn. Today, these icons once again radiate with the sacred splendour of their intended purpose, testament to the power of devotion and the legacy of great craftsmanship.
At W.J. Sanders, we do more than rescore precious metals. We honour stories, preserve heritage, and return timeless pieces to their rightful brilliance