Icon - Two saints - Wood, metallic halo

Greek icon of two Saints with a metallic nimbus (1835) - With export label from the Hagia Sophia Museum (Ayasofya)
• Category: Religious art and spiritual objects / Old icons
• Era: 19th century (1835)
• Origin/School: Greece / Region of Greek Orthodox influence.
• Technique: Tempera on wooden panel with gold leaf, details and inscriptions in painting and metal appliques (nimbuses/halos worked in relief, cross and Gospel).
• Condition: Good - with signs of wear due to age and signs of use.
• State details to specify: The panel shows natural craquelure from the passage of time and a vertical crack in the wood in the upper central part that does not compromise the stability of the piece. Small localized losses of polychromy on the faces and garments that reveal the wood preparation underneath, which is normal and certifies its antiquity. The metal of the nimbuses presents a very beautiful natural dark patina.

Precious and interesting Orthodox religious icon from the year 1835 depicting two full-length saints.

On the left is a Holy Martyr (probably Saint George or Saint Demetrius due to his military/noble attire and youth) holding a large metal cross and a martyr’s palm. On the right, a Holy bishop or elderly monk with a white beard, wearing liturgical vestments (omophorion), blessing with his right hand and holding the Holy Gospels.

Key features:
- Metallic elements: The nimbuses or halos of both saints are richly wrought in metal with floral relief motifs, as is the cross and the cover of the sacred book, adding volume and solemnity to the piece.
- Inscription and date: At the lower central part, it retains a dedication or inscription in Greek characters where the year of creation is clearly visible: "1835".
- Historical reverse: The back of the wooden panel features two sturdy reinforcing crossbars (sponki) typical of the period. Most notably, it retains an official label from the Hagia Sophia Museum (Ayasofya Müzesi), signed and stamped, recording its official measurements and legally authorizing its departure from Turkey ("Yurd dışına çıkabilir").

Provenance: Precious and interesting Orthodox religious icon from the year 1835 depicting two full-length saints.

On the left is a Holy Martyr (probably Saint George or Saint Demetrius due to his military/noble dress and youth) holding a large metal cross and a martyr’s palm. On the right, a Holy bishop or elderly monk with a white beard, dressed in liturgical vestments (omophorion), blessing with the right hand and holding the Holy Gospels.

Key features:
- Metallic elements: The nimbuses or halos of both saints are richly wrought in metal with floral relief motifs, as is the cross and the cover of the sacred book, adding volume and solemnity to the piece.
- Inscription and date: At the lower central part, it retains a dedication or inscription in Greek characters where the creation year is clearly visible: "1835".
- Historical reverse: The back of the wooden panel features two sturdy reinforcing crossbars (sponki) typical of the period. Most notably, it preserves an official label from the Hagia Sophia Museum (Ayasofya Müzesi), signed and stamped, recording its official measurements and legally authorizing its departure from Turkey ("Yurd dışına

From a private family collection. The icon was acquired in the mid-20th century by the former owner, during his frequent international travels, and has been kept within the family environment since then.