**Originally Listed At $600**

Eastern Europe, Greece, ca. 1850 CE. A painted wood icon depicting Saint Andrew and Saint Nicholas. The saints are painted with bright robes on a charming, naturalistic background dominated by a light blue sky, with low hills in the lower part. The saints, who are more stylized than the background, tower over this landscape, dominating the icon. Size: 11.2" W x 16.1" H (28.4 cm x 40.9 cm).

On the left is St. Andrew, one of the Apostles, son of Jonas and brother of Peter, dressed in a red robe with a green cloak. He was first a disciple of John the Baptist, and then Christ. After the Ascension, he preached in various places and died as a martyr, crucified on a cross in the shape of an "X". On the right is St. Nicholas, dressed in a blue robe, with a shining red cloak and his characteristic omophorion in cream and gold with red tassels. St. Nicholas is one of the favorite saints of Orthodox Christianity, a priest who fervently studied scripture from the earliest age, and who ultimately became a bishop renowned for his kindness to his flock and his zeal in fighting false gods. He attended the First Ecumenical Council in 325 CE and helped proclaim the Nicaean Symbol of Faith. Both men are depicted here holding holy books.

Provenance: private Ventura County, California, USA collection

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#121479

Losses to paint, especially along edges and on St. Nicholas's halo. Colors and detail clear. There are no back slats and the wood is very slightly warped so that the piece does not sit flat on a table.