Icon of St. John of the Ladder, John Climacus, 1989 (photo)

In collection of Kremlin Armoury is the icon of St. John of the Ladder, John Climacus, aka "Measure Icon." The icon was made on the occasion of the birth of Ivan IV's, (the Terrible) second son, Ivan Ivanovich. Each day had a saint. Icon was made to the measurement of the infant Ivan. Ivan IV killed his son in 1582 when in anger he struck him with a stick. This brought the Rurik Dynasty to an end, as Ivan's other son was an imbecile. The icon was made in the workshop of the Moscow Kremlin 1554. The cover is embossed gold with jewels, pearls, filigree, and enamel. The style is peculiar to Russian filigree and enamel technique, popular there in the 16th century. 46x17.2cm, Inv. # ZH-554/1-2. Photo by Cary Sol Wolinsky