Icon with painted motif on wood of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, a famous Byzantine depiction of the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus. The icon originally comes from Crete and was brought to Rome in the 15th century. The two archangels, Michael and Gabriel, hold the instruments of the Passion (the cross, the lance and the sponge), symbolizing Jesus' future suffering. The gold background represents the glory of heaven, and the royal crowns on Mary and Jesus emphasize their status as heavenly queen and king. This icon is believed to have been made in Greece in the first half of the 20th century. In good condition.