Eastern Europe, ca. 1852 CE. A beautiful Russian icon depicting Saint John the Baptist - or John the Forerunner - and Saint Onuphrius painted in brilliant hues of blue, pink, green, brown, wide, gray, gold, and white egg tempera on wood and adorned with applied silver haloes. Standing to the left, Saint Onuphrius, the hermit saint of Egypt, is shown as a traditional "wild man" with an elongated grey beard that stretches down to his feet and dressed in a girdle of leaves as he holds as lengthy scroll inscribed with religious text in his right hand. Alternatively, John the Baptist stands to the right, presenting as "Angel of the Wilderness," which he is sometimes referred to because he was a preacher and hermit in the southern desert of Judea, with a large pair of wings and wearing a fur robe and green cloak. Please note that Lucite stand is for photography purposes only. Size: 7.8" W x 11" H (19.8 cm x 27.9 cm); Silver quality: 79%

The cousin of Christ blesses with his right hand as he holds a footed diskos - vessel of the Eucharist - in his left containing the face of Christ, which is oddly reminiscent of how John the Baptist's head is traditionally shown on a dish after his beheading by King Herod; for examples see Caravaggio's "Salome with the head of John the Baptist" in the National Gallery, London or Aelbert Bouts's "Head of Saint John the Baptist on a Charger" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The 2 figures stand in the wilderness with grass and dirt at their feet and silhouettes of mountains in the background amongst a gorgeous pink and blue sky. A gold ray of light, presumably representing the Holy Spirit, shines down on them from above, while identifying Greek inscriptions are featured above their heads and below their feet. The verso of the image is inscribed with Greek text that states year it was made (1852), as well as the feast day of Saint Onuphrius (June 12th) and the date of the beheading of Saint John the Baptist (August 29th).

According to the Bible, King Herod's daughter Salome requested Saint John the Baptist's beheading. The heinous act was prompted by her mother, Herodias, who sought revenge, because the prophet had condemned her incestuous marriage to Herod. Aside from being referred to as the Angel of the Desert, he is also known as the last of the Old Testament prophets and the first saint. John the Baptist is one of the most popular and venerated figures in Orthodox hagiography. Depicted next to Christ and his mother, John the Baptist also occupies a coveted position in the Deesis tier of the iconostasis.

Icons (icon means "image" in Greek) are sacred objects within the Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition. Found in homes as well as churches, these painted images depict holy persons and saints as well as illustrate scenes from the Scriptures. Icons are not worshiped but are instead venerated for their ability to focus the power of an individual's prayer to God. As such they are truly "windows into heaven."

Provenance: private Morrison, Colorado, USA collection; ex-Rhode Island, USA auction gallery; ex-private southern United States estate collection

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Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#166046

Metal loops and wire on verso for suspensions, as well as Greek handwriting from artist or previous owner. Old inactive insect holes to verso. Otherwise, excellent with impressive remaining pigments.