Bidspirit auction | LARGE 19TH C. RUSSIAN ICON

LARGE 19TH C. RUSSIAN ICON OF CRUCIFIXION WITH BRONZE CROSS - This late 19th-century Russian Orthodox icon features a central cast bronze crucifix mounted onto a substantial painted wooden panel. The Old Believer-style metal cross depicts the crucified Christ in high relief, complete with traditional Church Slavonic texts. Flanking the cross are four finely rendered tempera figures: the Mother of God and Saint Catherine to the left, and Saint Demetrius of Thessaloniki and Saint John the Theologian to the right. The figures display expressive features, classical garments, and gold-painted halos against a dark olive background, with identifying inscriptions painted above each. The thick wooden board is finished with a red-painted border and retains two original inset horizontal splints on the reverse. antique religious art, eastern christianity, devotional artifact, imperial era, liturgical collectibles, slavic antiquities Dimensions 17 1/2 x 14 1/2 in. x 1 3/16 in. (44.5 x 36.8 x 3 cm) Condition The painted panel is structurally stable, showing minor surface wear, light abrasions, and scattered tiny paint flakes consistent with age. The cast bronze cross is intact, exhibiting a natural dark patina. The wood panel retains its original rear splints; modern hanging wire and felt pads are attached to the reverse. The outer red-painted edges display minor wear and small losses.