Eastern Europe, Russia, ca. late 19th to 20th century CE. A fine brass relief icon of Saint John the Baptist depicted in traditional Orthodox fashion - wearing a camel hair tunic and an unkempt beard and coiffure as angel's wings spread from his back, indicating he is a messenger of god. He holds a scroll of Scripture and a chalice with Christ as the Lamb of God in his left hand, while pointing to Christ with his right. This image suggests the bread of the Eucharist - called Lamb (amnos), and the words spoken by John the Baptist by the river Jordan where he baptized his disciples, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." Size: 9.1" W x 10.1" H (23.1 cm x 25.7 cm)

Also referred to as the Angel of the Desert (because he was a preacher and hermit in the southern desert of Judea), the forerunner of Christ, 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, he also occupies a coveted position in the Deesis tier of the iconostasis.

Provenance: private Constance McCormick Fearing estate, Montecito, California, USA, acquired before 2004

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#181040

Small chip to bottom periphery, as well as some small nicks and abrasions to surface. Otherwise, intact and excellent with great detail and light patina. Suspension apparatus on verso for display.