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Offered here is a fascinating antique hand-painted Christian devotional icon depicting Jesus Christ as Christ Pantocrator, painted on a substantial wooden panel.
The unframed icon measures approximately 15 inches high by 10.25 inches wide and approximately 0.75 inch thick. With its decorative frame, the overall dimensions are approximately 18 x 13.5 x 1.25 inches. Framed weight is approximately 4 lb. 10 oz.
UNUSUAL ORB / WORLD-SPHERE ICONOGRAPHY
One of the most interesting features of this icon is the object held by Christ: an orb or world sphere rather than the Gospel book more commonly encountered in traditional Pantocrator imagery.
The sphere is represented as a wrapped or covered globe with gathered material/ribbon at its top. In Christian iconography, an orb or world sphere can symbolize Christ's sovereignty over creation and the world.
This feature gives the composition an especially interesting relationship to the Christ as "Savior of the World" or Salvator Mundi tradition, in which Christ is represented in association with the world sphere. The orb-bearing composition is particularly noteworthy because it introduces an iconographic element strongly associated with Western Christian imagery into a painting otherwise displaying characteristics associated with Eastern Christian icon traditions.
The precise school, region and date of this particular icon have not been professionally established, so buyers should make their own assessment from the extensive photographs provided.
HAND-PAINTED WOOD PANEL
The image appears to be hand painted rather than printed. Visible brushwork, variations in the painted surface, craquelure and extensive age-related wear can be seen throughout.
The wooden panel is unusually substantial and retains evidence of traditional panel construction. The reverse has transverse wooden battens/supports, portions of which show considerable age and deterioration.
Numerous photographs of the edges, corners, reverse, battens and painted surface are included so collectors can closely examine the construction and condition.
INSCRIPTIONS
The painting retains old lettering/inscriptions, including abbreviated lettering near the upper portion of the composition traditionally associated with the name of Jesus Christ.
A longer inscription is also present along the lower border. Portions are worn, faded and difficult to decipher. No definitive translation of the complete lower inscription is being offered, and prospective buyers are encouraged to study the close-up photographs.
CONDITION / AGEVery good overall antique condition considering the apparent age of the piece. The hand-painted image remains remarkably well preserved and displays beautifully, with strong surviving color, clearly defined facial features, visible inscriptions, and an attractive naturally aged surface and patina.
As expected with an antique painted wooden panel, there is age-related craquelure, scattered surface wear, small scratches/abrasions, minor paint loss, and wear around the edges and corners. The wooden panel has a slight natural bow/warp that is most noticeable when laid flat.
The wood also shows old, scattered holes consistent with historic wood-boring insect activity, a common condition issue encountered in antique wooden objects. No active insect activity has been observed. There is some age-related deterioration and loss to portions of the wooden battens/supports on the reverse.
The decorative frame shows normal age and wear and appears to be later than the icon.
Please enlarge and carefully examine ALL photographs and the accompanying video. They are considered part of the description and provide the best documentation of the painting's surface, construction, inscriptions and present condition.
MEASUREMENTS
Icon panel without frame:
Approximately 15" H x 10.25" W x 0.75" thick
With frame:
Approximately 18" H x 13.5" W x 1.25" thick
Weight with frame:
Approximately 4 lb. 10 oz.
ATTRIBUTION
The icon has not been professionally authenticated or formally attributed to a specific painter, workshop, country or exact period.
Its apparent age, construction, inscriptions and iconography make it an intriguing object for further study. Any attribution regarding precise age, national origin, school or workshop should be considered a matter for the purchaser or a qualified specialist to determine.
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