Christ Pantocrator from Borisovskaya Sloboda (Borisovka), Russia (USSR)
Russian Orthodox icon depicting Jesus, "Blessing hand"
1880s – 1900s
Wood, size: 18,5 x 12,5 cm
Weight: 155 gr
There is a hole in the back of the painting which was made to hang it on the wall and there are old nails on the front. The nails on the front were holding metal foil to protect the corners from being damaged.
In the little cracks you can see white substance – levkas. Levkas is a special chalk mixed with animal or fish glue and some linseed oil. Levkas was used as a base for painting, because they used tempera paints which were made from eggs, water and pigments.
While roaming the streets of Kyiv we came across a kind salesman pointing us to an art exhibition. In there we found this truly wonderful piece of antique religious art. Read the full story about finding this piece of art.
The most common translation of Pantocrator is "Almighty" or "All-powerful". In this understanding, Pantokrator is a compound word formed from the Greek words πᾶς, pas (παντός pantos), i.e. "all" and κράτος, kratos, i.e. "strength", "might", "power". This is often understood in terms of potential power; i.e., ability to do anything, omnipotence. More information about Christ Pantocrator icons on Wikipedia (opens in a new window).
One of the most commonly used hand gestures depicted in Eastern Orthodox icons is a so-called “blessing hand.” It represents a specific arrangement of fingers that spell out “IC XC”, a widely used four letter abbreviation of the Greek for Jesus (IHCOYC) Christ (XPICTOC). Thus, the hand that blesses reproduces the Name of Jesus. However, since this gesture comes from ancient times, it is often associated with classical oratory and means that the speaker is going to say something important, which can also be applicable to all icons of Jesus Christ and His saints.
Condition: D • Fair condition. This item displays noticeable wear but is still presentable.
Couldn't load pickup availability
Any questions about this item? Please don't hesitate to contact us! When you do, please add the link to this page in your request. Get in touch.
Special requests about delivery of the item(s) you're interested in? Please get in touch.
We'll send your order with PostNL, the number one parcel service in The Netherlands, delivering worldwide. More information is to be found in our Shipping policy.
Our guide for grading, unless stated otherwise in the product description, is:
A • Mint condition. This items has almost no sign of use or handling.
B • Near Mint condition. Some signs of use.
C • Fine condition.
D • Fair condition. This item displays noticeable wear but is still presentable.
E • Poor condition. The item shows noticeable wear which is distracting; but this item is unique in some way.
Questions before ordering an item?
Please don't hesitate to contact us about any item you've found in our collection. We're happy to provide more pictures and or a video and if we can we're here to provide you with some more background information about an item.
Please get in touch and add the link to the item you need more information about.
It is that time again! The autumn edition of the Verzamelaars Jaarbeurs will be held on November 12 + 13 (Saturday and Sunday) 2022. The Jaarbeurs halls will then be transformed into the...
Introducing our first 'Follow' here with @meau. His pictures are about architecture, minimalism and his travels through Eastern Europe. Just what we like! About Meau's fascination with the Soviet Union: “I’ve been...
We've got you First time ordering? We've got you... Here is a 5% discount code: USE CODE: FIRST2022 After clicking the bar on top of your screen or the link...
On the news and through photos and videos we receive from family and friends, we see the places we've been to, places that we know, are being affected. We know that...
