GIP129423 Appearance of the Virgin to St. Sergius, 1525 (gold, silver & silk thread, set with pearls and rubies in gold mountings) by Russian School (16th century); Sergiev Posad State History and Art Museum, Russia; (add.info.: gift from the Muscovite Grand Duke Vasily III and his wife, Solomonia Saburova; the inscription is a prayer for the gift of an heir, theme echoed in the pictures; appearance of the Virgin to Sergius; the birth of John the Baptist; St Anne conceiving the Virgin; St Elizabeth conceiving John the Baptist; saint; Serge;); 穢 Vadim Gippenreiter; Russian, out of copyright.