Late 17th century A.D. A Greek Orthodox icon formed as a rectangular wooden panel with slightly curved profile, one face with polychrome religious scene showing Christ identified by the Greek Letters '?CXC' (Jesus Christ), on the left corner of the icon, dressed in a blue chiton and a red cloak, blessing the central figure of the painting, representing Saint Onuphrius (identified by the inscription on his left, ? ????C ????????C); the saint, usually represented as a desert hermit, is shown here in three quarter-length, dressed in priests' vestments, wearing a simple pinkish-red phelonion (chasuble) from which is hanging a blue omophorion wrapped around the neck, decorated with gold crosses and stars, while the body is clad in an off-white tunica talaris; holding a prophecy roll in his left hand with right hand raised in a gesture of blessing. See a similar style of painted icon in Christie's, Icons and Artefacts from the Orthodox World, Monday 24 November 2008, London, 2008. p.83; cf. also the style of the icon of the Transfiguration from the iconostasis of c. Flora and Lavra c. Megrega, Olonetsky district; Russia, Karelia, at the Museum of Fine Arts of the Republic of Karelia (MIIRK). 683 grams, 28 x 25 cm (11 x 9 7/8 in."). Charterhouse auctioneers, Sherborne, Dorset, UK. Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK, formed since 1985. The icon seems be painted in egg tempera with gold leaf on wood (cypress?), prepared with gesso and linen. Red and black paint was also used for the frame of the icon in the shape of two simple narrow bands. The style of the icon, although inscribed with Greek letters, and especially the faces of the divine figures recalls the Russian school.

Fine condition.