**First Time At Auction**

Eastern Europe, Russia, 19th century CE. A brass traveling icon that folds out into a triptych with three panels delineated with religious icons in relief. The cover shows the cross on a hill with a skull beneath it (representing Golgotha) in front of a stylized city. The interior shows Mary, Jesus, and St John the Baptist, all with fine detail and Cyrillic writing, in the classic Orthodox style. Size: 7.625" W x 3.125" H (19.4 cm x 7.9 cm) Size: closed 2.75" W x 3.125" H (7 cm x 7.9 cm)

In order to support traveling priests on missions, bronze and brass religious objects were made that were small enough and light enough to be carried on long journeys through a difficult landscape. These became widespread in Russia in the 17th century, and are often mentioned in the 19th century writings of Pushkin and Chekhov.

Provenance: ex Estate of Eldert Bontekoe, Pegasi Numismatics, Ann Arbor, Michigan USA acquired before 2000

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#157940

Slight wear to surface. A few minor stains to exterior/cover. Minor casting flaw to lower right corner of John the Baptist panel. Hinges work and icon folds nicely. Nice patina on cover.