Unknown Artist - Russia - 19th century - Traveling Icon of Christ Pantocrator, Religion, Orthodox Christianity, Russia

Cast icon—the central panel of a triptych. The icon takes the form of a rectangular panel, made using the metal casting technique. It depicts a frontal image of Christ in the Pantocrator style, shown from the waist up, with his head surrounded by a cross-shaped halo. His right hand is raised in a gesture of blessing, while his left hand holds an open book with marked pages and the outlines of an inscription. The figure is rendered in shallow relief, with clearly modeled facial features, a beard, and hair falling onto his shoulders. The background is filled with ornamental plant and geometric motifs, and the entire composition is surrounded by a decorative, openwork border featuring a repeating floral pattern. Hinge protrusions are visible on the sides, indicating that the panel was originally part of a folding triptych.
Dimensions: 17 x 15 cm
Cast bronze.
Condition as shown in the photo.
The depiction of Christ Pantocrator—Ruler and Judge of the world—is one of the most important and canonical iconographic types in the Byzantine and post-Byzantine traditions. The arrangement of the blessing gesture and the Gospel book refers to the theological message of Christ’s divine wisdom and authority.
The presence of hinges indicates that the object was originally part of a triptych—a portable icon—in which the side panels might have contained images of saints or narrative scenes. Such portable altars served as personal objects of worship, often accompanying their owners on their travels.
The presented piece holds high collectible value as an authentic example of sacred craftsmanship and a tangible testament to the spirituality and aesthetics of the Orthodox tradition.