Icon - Quadripartite icon - Wood, Metal

This extraordinary Orthodox icon is a powerful relic of bygone times—an object that only received its soul through the hands of its custodians. Crafted on a hand-carved wooden panel and adorned with an intricately embossed, silver-plated metal okalad, the piece unfolds a hypnotic dialogue of light and shadow: silver darkened like the whisper of history, and gold reflections that erupt in the sublime areas like spiritual embers beneath ashes. The intricate ornaments and cross motifs, in the style of traditional Eastern European Orthodox craftsmanship, frame the sacred image with an almost tangible presence—raw, sublime, and untamed in their beauty.

The icon was purchased at auction many years ago by a family – but that was only the beginning of its journey. After that moment of acquisition, it continued its private journey, passing from family to family, like a protective blessing that chooses its own home. For generations, it hung in living rooms, accompanied prayers, and was passed down through inheritances, new beginnings, and fresh starts – always a secret treasure within the family circle, never intended for public display. This invisible chain of human connection is what makes the icon so unique today: it carries the warmth of many homes, the angels of many stories, and the reverential glow of countless hands that have held it with devotion.

The wood of the support exhibits characteristics that could be associated with classic icon woods, such as fine-grained linden or pine, both materials commonly used in Orthodox icon making. The combination of wood, metal, and natural patina makes the piece a unique witness to Orthodox culture, ideal for collectors who do not seek perfect flawlessness but rather the pulse of authenticity – scars of time that speak of genuineness rather than loss.

This icon is not a mass-produced work of art – it is a survivor. A devotional object that has symbolically outlasted wars, border changes, years of faith, and family migrations – a window into the spiritual cosmos of Eastern Orthodox Europe. From a cultural-historical perspective, an origin in the Orthodox milieu of Eastern Europe would be fitting; a connection to the icon tradition of Russia, where Oklad icons of this type were common in private home altars, would also be plausible.

Today, a rare opportunity arises to acquire a piece whose historical aura transforms any room: a spiritual presence that one doesn't possess—one preserves. An object for those who understand: true value lies not in the material alone, but in being passed down through generations.