Bidspirit auction | ANTIQUE 18TH C. RUSSIAN SAINT

ANTIQUE 18TH C. RUSSIAN SAINT NICHOLAS ORTHODOX ICON - Executed in the 18th century, this Russian Orthodox icon is painted in tempera and gold leaf on a wooden panel, centering on a half-length depiction of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker. The revered saint is shown holding an open Gospel book with Church Slavonic text and raising his right hand in a traditional gesture of blessing. In the upper corners, Christ and the Mother of God appear on stylized clouds, presenting the Gospel and an episcopal omophorion. The composition features a rich gold ground and is flanked on the left and right margins by full-length border saints identified by accompanying Church Slavonic inscriptions. The reverse of the aged wooden panel displays incised scratches, a partial paper label, and attached modern wire hanging hardware. russian orthodox art, antique religious panel, tempera painting, eastern orthodoxy, saint nicholas, liturgical art, gold leaf painting, 18th century antiques, religious icon. Dimensions 13 × 11 in. (33 × 28 cm) Condition The painted surface exhibits extensive fine craquelure throughout the central image and gold ground. Scattered paint loss and edge wear are prominently visible along the outer red painted borders. The gold leaf shows minor localized rubbing. The aged reverse displays scratches, an old partial paper label, and modern hanging hardware.