A RUSSIAN ICON OF THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST, 15TH CENTURY, SET INTO A LATER PANEL. Here John the Baptist is seen on the banks of the Jordan River (left) placing his hand on Christ who stands in the river as he is baptized and above radiating beams of light representing the Holy Spirit shine down. On the right bank of the river are three attending Angels of the Lord, their hands covered in cloth as a sign of veneration. 11 inches x 8 inches (28 x 20 cm).

By the 19th century, the practice of extending the life of an old icon by resetting into a later panel had become a common method in which to preserve earlier icon specimens whose outer boarder had deteriorated to such an extent that the icon was essentially unusable. This was particularly the case for icons which held great spiritual value or treasured family icons been passed down through numerous generations as well as donated to a church or chapel by a distinguished patron.