103311 | RUSSIA. Presentation & Baptism of Christ wooden Icon.

103311  |  RUSSIA. Presentation & Baptism of Christ wooden Icon. Made circa 1820-1860. (236mm x 293mm [9-1/4" x 11-1/2"], 769.7 g [1.7 lbs]).

 

Four-part scene divided by central cross decorated with scroll pattern; to upper left, the presentation of Christ in the Temple of Jerusalem: St. Simeon the God-Receiver standing left, holding the Infant Christ; to left, St. Anna and the Theotokos (Virgin Mary) standing right; to upper right, the baptism of Christ in the River Jordan: Jesus Christ facing slightly left, being baptized by John the Baptist standing to left; to right, angel standing left; to lower left and right, two saints each standing facing, holding Gospels and raising hands in benediction; though uncertain, the saints may well be Andrew, Basil, John, and Paul, respectively; all within off white border—all of which is painted in tempera atop wood. Back and sides: Wood exposed, with some scattered scuffs and marks.

 

Extremely Fine. Some scattered cracking of the paint, though remaining largely intact; some minor cleaning is noted, as well as slight curvature, giving a minor convex nature, as is often the case. Screw and string attached at the top for suspension, and a few inventory numbers are mentioned for completeness.

 

Please refer to the in-hand video in order to get a more accurate sense of the size of this icon.

 

Following the conversion of the peoples of the Ancient Rus' (those in the eastern and northern portions of Europe) to Orthodox Christianity in the late 10th century, queues were taken from Byzantine art and iconography. As time progressed, and given the lack of more personal representations of religion, the practice in the emerging tsardom of Russia began to emulate the artistic traditions in western Europe within the Protestant and Catholic spheres. Thus, the Russian icon was born—a representation of one's religion and hopes, all in the form of a small-scale, craft-oriented image, usually done on wood and with the ability to venerate in one's house. The imagery would usually focus upon Christ or the Theotokos (the Virgin Mary), but could vary widely to other lesser-encountered saints and passages, even to those more native to the Orthodox church in the Russian dominion. The various images would generally be painted in tempera, a type of paint mixed with egg, and featured a gilt-infused background in order to elevate the flair and magnificence.

 

Upload: 2 September 2025.