Eastern Europe, Russia, ca. early 19th century CE. A bronze travelling icon that when open presents four panels joined via hinges, each one divided into quadrants with an onion dome upper section. The iconography includes 20 scenes from the Life of Christ and the Life of Mary in low relief. Above the scenes housed by the onion dome sections is Cyrillic text. In order to support traveling priests on missions, bronze and brass religious objects were made that were small enough and light enough to be carried on long journeys through a difficult landscape. These became widespread in Russia in the 17th century, and are often mentioned in the 19th century writings of Pushkin and Chekhov. Size: 4.25" W x 6.75" H (10.8 cm x 17.1 cm) closed; 16.375" W x 6.75" H (41.6 cm x 17.1 cm) open

Provenance: private Orange County, California, USA collection

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#127933

Normal surface wear and tarnish commensurate with age, but imagery is fairly vivid. Hinges work well.