Rare 19th C Antique Russian Icon Saint Nicholas Celluloid Relief Unusual Frame

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Rare 19th C Antique Russian Icon Saint Nicholas Celluloid Relief Unusual Frame :
$249.00

This listing is for the Russian icon that you see in the photos. I am very experienced when it come to general antiques but I do not consider myself to be a Russian icon expert. I purchased this icon at an estate sale in Oregon where I was not told its history. Some research tells me that it is a Russian Orthodox version of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia who is famed as a great saint pleasing unto God . It looks to me like it is very likely from the 19th century. I leave it to the buyer to determine exactly where and when it was made. I guarantee it to be antique and not any kind of modern reproduction.

The relief images appear to be molded from some kind of plastic that looks very much like celluloid to me. I have not seen or found on the internet any other Russian icons of this type so I think that it is probably rare. The background is paper. The frame is wood with metal decorations at the corners. I think that the metal is probably tin. It is not magnetic.

Not counting the metal corners, the frame measures about 14 3/8 by 12 3/8 inches. Measured to the tips of the metal corners, the frame measures about 16 ¾ by 15 ¼ inches. The whole icon weighs about 1 pound 3.2 ounces.

The condition is much like you see it in the 19 photos after the general description. The paper background looks worn or aged and has wrinkles in it. Two darker areas on the paper around the figure on the left hand side (Joseph?) look a little shiny when angled to a light. I am guessing that is do to misplaced glue. A small hole can be seen in the head on the figure on the left. The figures and the metal decorations look darkened or a little discolored from age and probably soil. A light dent can be seen in the spine of the Bible that St. Nicholas is holding. The wood and metal of the frame show some wear and light soil. There are some tiny holes at the top of the halo that I think are for the thread used to hold it in place. A couple of those holes appear to be without thread. few small spots on the metal corners are shiny where it looks like the surface has flaked off. Otherwise, this icon is generally fine and as shown. My photos should give you a good idea of its general condition.

The images appear to be made from some kind of plastic that looks very much like celluloid to me. I do not know what the writing says but I believe the letters to be Cyrillic. I guarantee Russian Icon to be as described and represented by the photos. The photos are part of the description.

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I like to leave response after I know that the item has arrived and that the buyer is satisfied.

I reserve the right to cancel any offers without explanation.

Please email me with any questions or suggestions. I do not ship on weekends. I might not be available to answer email on weekends.

19 photos should load with this listing.