Rare Antique Greek Orthodox Touching of Thomas Rondel Icon, 18th-19th Century

An exceptional, museum quality very large 18th century Greek icon of the Pentecost. Egg tempera and gold leaf on wood, primed with gesso. Attributed to Mount Athos...

A rare Russian five color polychrome enamel bronze travel icon depicting scenes from the life of the Prophet Elijah including the Fiery Ascension. The border in cornflower blue enamel and scrolled foliate elements topped by the Old Slavonic inscription- Obraz Sviatovo Proroka Ulii- Image of the Holy Prophet Elijah. In the upper left corner is of the hand of God on a white enamel background signifying the clouds. To the right is the Fiery Ascension of Elijah with his dynamic winged horses on a background of finely hand chased flames with stylized wind gusts. The Prophet holds the reigns in his right hand and reaches out with his left to his follower Elisha with a mantle for the parting of the waters of the river Jordan. The river Jordan takes center stage in the icon as a dramatic element - a wide swath of flowing waves with the scenes from the life of Elijah depicted to its left: The Prophet Elijah in the wilderness; Elijah hides in the desert and is fed by an Angel; and Elijah and Elisha crossing the river Jordan parted by Elijah's mantle. This scarce icon is especially significant for the Old Believers tradition. The Old Believers were the chief makers of bronze icons, created by using fire rather than painted by hand. The veneration of the Prophet Elijah, who through his sacrifice, was able to call for fire from heaven manifests a special connection for the sect. Fire, ogon in Russian, was viewed as a purifier and a link to the Last Judgement and the end of the world. Polychrome enamel icons...

Greek Orthodox icon painted over gold leaf laid on a wooden board. Byzantine style and painted with egg tempera .

The Byzantine Period of Greek history is one of the least understood and the most important. The Byzantine Empire laid the foundations for Orthodox Chris...