Russian Icon of Christ

[VicM52]

Hello - I recently inherited an icon from my father. This icon was given as a wedding gift to his parents (my grandparents) in 1930, which is a traditional gift in the Russian Orthodox faith. My grandparents were married in NYC but the icon came with my great grandparents when they were immigrating after being displaced as part of the October Revolution. It appears the combined standard and city mark date the piece between 1882 and 1899. However, I am having a hard time reading the makers mark. There is a clear "A" and then a "." but I can't make out the other letter. Maybe "я"?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you.

[AG2012]

Hi,
The halo (aureole,crown) on Christ`s head should be marked,too.The maker`s mark there is probably better struck.
Regards

[VicM52]

Hi AG2012 -

Brilliant! Thanks for the insights. I looked at the icon 100 times and never saw those marks. New photos are below. Now you can clearly see the makers mark as "A.K" and the Moscow city mark is also very clear in the other photo.

Any ideas who "A.K" is? A quick search and I didn't find anything. As always, your help is greatly appreciated.

I've also looked on the kiot / case to see if I can find any information on the woodwork that could further verify timing and region, but no luck there.

[AG2012]

Hi,
As far as I can tell A.K is for Antip Kuzmichev ( Антип Кузмичев) the owner of silverware factory in Moscow (over 100 workers),late 19th century.
Regards

[VicM52]

Excellent - thank you for the help!

[Qrt.S]

@AG2012

Mind my asking but what makes you think it is Antip Kuzmichev ? Why not as well Aleksandr Kribovitchev, Alexey Korolev or Aleksandr Kostelnikov just to mention a few more...
There are too many AKs in Moscow to pick with certainty, but as said, just asking????

[AG2012]

Right,several A.K. in Moscow at the time.
From Skurlov:

КОЗЬМИЧЕВ Антип,1884 г. 1897.
КРЫЛОВ Алексей 1884–1896
КРЫМОВ Алексей 1884–1896.

Neither of them in PL edition available to me at the moment.
Every A.K icon I saw is attributed to Antip Kuzmichev (Russian sources),but of course,they may be wrong, so,let`s say he is the best candidate,far from being absolutely sure.
Regards

[Qrt.S]

OK, I buy that.