Antique Russian Orthodox Bronze Enamel Triptych St Nicholas Icon 19th Century 5 For Sale

Antique Russian Orthodox Bronze Folding Icon – 19th Century – Multi-Scene Religious Diptych

Antique Russian Orthodox bronze folding travel icon, attributed to the 19th century, featuring an elaborate multi-scene religious composition and finely detailed cast decoration.

This historic Russian folding icon, traditionally known as a skladen, was designed as a portable devotional object. When closed, the exterior forms an architectural, chapel-like silhouette decorated with intricate Cyrillic inscriptions, ornamental motifs and religious imagery.

When opened, the icon reveals multiple individually framed Orthodox Christian religious scenes executed in detailed cast relief.

The upper section contains an additional large religious composition beneath the distinctive pointed architectural top, while the lower portion is divided into four separate narrative panels.

The reverse/exterior is particularly decorative, featuring an elaborate central composition surrounded by extensive Old Church Slavonic / Cyrillic inscriptions and floral ornamentation.

ITEM DETAILS:

• Object: Russian Orthodox Folding Icon
• Type: Diptych / Skladen / Travel Icon
• Material: Bronze / Copper Alloy
• Construction: Cast and Hinged
• Decoration: Detailed Religious Relief
• Subjects: Multiple Orthodox Christian Scenes
• Origin: Russia
• Period: Attributed to the 19th Century
• Tradition: Russian Orthodox
• Condition: Antique / Used
• Certification: Uncertified

Russian bronze folding icons were portable devotional objects used for private prayer and travel. Cast bronze examples became an important form of Russian Orthodox religious metalwork, with especially elaborate pieces combining numerous sacred scenes, inscriptions and ornamental decoration.

This example is notable for its multi-panel iconography, architectural form, extensive Cyrillic inscriptions and richly decorated exterior, making it an interesting collectible for specialists in Russian Orthodox icons, antique bronze icons, Russian religious art, folding travel icons and Imperial Russian devotional objects.

The bronze surface displays extensive natural age-related characteristics, including dark patina, oxidation, areas of green verdigris, surface deposits, wear and casting irregularities.

These surface characteristics have been left untouched and form part of the object\'s present antique appearance.