Icon - Three saints - Wood

Authentic 19th century Orthodox icon depicting three military saints, most likely Saint George, Saint Demetrius and Saint Theodore.

Hand-painted in tempera on a wooden panel with gold leaf background. The icon shows traditional Byzantine-influenced facial features, detailed armour and lances, and finely executed gilded halos with punched decoration.

The upper section retains traces of red Cyrillic/Greek inscriptions identifying the saints.

The icon originates from an ecclesiastical context (no documentation available).

The wear pattern and devotional abrasion, particularly along the lower edge, indicate prolonged religious use.

Dating

19th century (circa 1820–1880).

Attribution based on:
• Panel construction with rear support
• Craquelure pattern in the gilding
• Pigment aging
• Iconographic style typical of Greek/Balkan Orthodox tradition

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Technique

Tempera and gold leaf on wooden panel.

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Condition

Fair condition, consistent with age and devotional use.

Visible:
• Paint losses, especially along the lower section
• Surface wear and abrasion
• Craquelure in the gilded areas
• Minor panel warping
• Old inactive woodworm traces
• Small structural cracks

No modern overpainting detected to the naked eye.

The condition has been left untouched. The icon has not been cleaned or restored.

Please examine the photographs carefully as they form part of the description.