**Originally Listed At $500**

Eastern Europe, Russia, ca. 19th century CE. Delineated in egg tempera and gold leaf on wood, an icon depicting the miracle-worker St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, the most widely revered saint in Eastern Orthodox Christianity, flanked by apparitions of Christ and the Theotokos (Mother of God), with four patron saints on the margins. The image of St. Nicholas and the apparitions are depicted on a detailed brass panel, with white and blue enamel in recessed areas, set in a carved slot in the center of the panel. Believed to possess special powers to protect the faithful, this archetypal Bishop and Saint is dressed in sumptuous episcopal vestments, with a cross adorned omophorion, giving benediction with his right hand, holding a Gospel in his left. A beautiful example of one of the most revered individuals in Orthodox Christianity! Size: 8.625" W x 10.375" H (21.9 cm x 26.4 cm).

Nicholas, a Greek bishop of Myra, Anatolia in the 4th century and one of the most beloved saints of the church, who served as an intercessor, performing miracles of healing and rescue, has an interesting history. A strong opponent of the heretical bishop Arius at the Council of Nicaea, Nicholas, after slapping Arius in the face, was denied his holy insignia and tossed in jail. However, Christ and the Virgin appeared to him and gave him back his freedom and his episcopal office. Here shown with a serious countenance, a high furrowed forehead, concentrating eyes framed by arched brows, and a short, gray beard, Saint Nicholas is portrayed as a staunch champion of the Christian faith, a defender against heresy, and a healer.

Provenance: private E. G. collection, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

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#125285

Losses and craquelure to front details, tarnishing and slight deformations to brass panel, fading to brass details, minor losses to blue and white enameled details, with wear and losses to peripheries. Several lines of illegible carved text on verso with old collection sticker.