Icon cover and frame (Riza) with Bogoliubskaya Mother of God with the Chosen Saints 1815

This icon cover and frame was made in Russia in the 19th century by Ph. Phralov, using silver and other materials. The scene depicts the Bogoliubskaya Mother of God, surrounded by chosen saints, a common subject in Russian Orthodox art. But the icon is also a product of its time, reflecting the deep religious faith and social hierarchies of 19th-century Russia. The elaborate silver cover, or riza, is not merely decorative. Instead, it signifies the importance of the icon as a sacred object, venerated in both public and private settings. The choice of particular saints could reflect regional or familial affiliations, offering insight into personal and communal identities. Icons such as these had a powerful role in shaping popular piety. To understand this work fully, scholars would consult not only art historical sources but also religious texts, social histories, and archival records that shed light on the cultural and institutional contexts in which it was created and used.