Icon - Nicholas the Wonderworker - Wood

preserved in its original state, Ancient Imperial Russian Icon – Saint Nicholas – Tempera on panel with punched gold ground – ca. 1880–1910. The work is attributed to the end of the 19th – beginning of the 20th century (about 1880–1910), the period of Imperial Russia. The stylistic features, the punched decoration of the gold ground, the inscriptions in ancient ecclesiastical Slavic handwritten, and the traditional construction of the panel are consistent with Russian production of the era. The saint is depicted in half-length according to canonical Orthodox iconography, with the Gospel bearing manual inscriptions. The gilded ground presents rich ornamental work executed by hand.
The surface shows layering of tempera, painterly reliefs and natural cracks compatible with the age. It does not show characteristics of printing or mechanical reproduction. The back shows a thick panel with recessed wooden crossbars according to traditional technique. The metal element for hanging is from a later period.
State of conservation:
There are losses of color and abrasions, mainly along the edges and in some central areas, compatible with the age of the work. No invasive modern restorations detected. The icon is preserved in its original state.