ANTIQUE RARE RUSSIAN ICON: THE HOLY PROPHET ELIJAH

The full name of this icon is: The Fiery descent to Heaven of the Holy Glorious Prophet Elijah

The Holy Prophet Elijah (c. 900 BC) is one of the greatest of the prophets in the Old Testament. He appeared along with Moses at Jesus Christ Transfiguration. This icon shows Elijah ascending into heaven in a fiery chariot and Elisha catching his mantle. It also shows the river Jordan. The feast is on 20 July (2 August).

The left scene shows the incident with the prophets of Baal. They called out to their idol from morning till evening asking to consume the sacrificial animals with fire but the heavens were silent. But through the prayer of the prophet fire came down from heaven and consumed the sacrifice, the wood, and even the water.

Lower scene shows the visitation of the prophet by the Angel of God.

The lower right scene shows the Prophets Eliah and Elisha at the river Jordan.

This old icon was painted at the end of the 19 or the first years of the 20 century with egg tempera on a wooden panel covered with levkas (gesso, special priming). The icon is covered with the original chased metal (brass or tin or soft iron) oklad (riza, metal cover).

The icon wasn’t restored recently. I don’t see any traces of restorations but there is always a possibility of old restorations. Icons were not used as pieces of art. They were objects of adoration. Owners took care of them and refreshed and renewed their icons when necessary.

This is so called «under oklad» icon and painting beneath oklad may be schematic if any. We haven’t examined closed parts.

There are two original wooden wedges at the back to prevent the board from wrapping. Wedges mostly belong to the 19 century. Back was recently treated against the wood borers.

Size = 14.2x12.2x0.9 (36x31x2.3 cm). Weight = 1270 gr.