Icon - Wood - The Holy Face

This icon corresponds to the Holy Face of Christ, known in Orthodox tradition as the Mandylion or Image not made by human hands (Acheiropoietos).
Face of Christ, head-on, without a body.
Traditional name: Mandylion
Origin of the motif: Related to the legend of King Abgar of Edessa.
Type of icon: Devotional, highly venerated in the Byzantine and Russian world.

Richly decorated, it is typical of Russian icons from the 18th–19th centuries.
Radiant gold background: Symbolizes divine light.
Decoration with stars and rays: Reinforces the idea of Christ as the light of the world.
Angels in the corners: A common element in icons of great solemnity.
Cross and anchor at the sides: Christian symbols of faith and salvation.

This icon does not depict a narrative scene, but a direct presence of Christ. It is one of the most theological icons: it affirms the Incarnation (God made visible in the human face).

This type of icons was highly valued in Russia.
They are usually pieces of private devotion or from important churches.