This item is a vintage / antique Russian Orthodox Miniature Icon on a wooden, hand-painted lacquered box.

The box measures 2 3/8" (6cm) long by 1 1/2" (4cm) wide by 1" (2.6cm) deep.

This exquisite small wooden box with a hand-painted Icon (Christ Pantocrator) does not have any written marks to indicate its age, but I do believe it was made in Russia sometime around 1920s or earlier.

The Russian Orthodox Church is a direct descendant of the Byzantine Church and has many similarities, especially the importance of icons.

Icons are a central feature in the Russian Orthodoxy, and provide a direct connection between the viewer and the holy person depicted.

Every Russian home had a corner decorated with icons and other sacred objects.

Even when people traveled, they would carry a miniature icon or similar item with them all the time.

This small wooden box was probably made for someone to carry small religious objects, such as rosary beads or a small wooden cross.

After the 1920's, Soviet-era Russia suppressed religious activities, and icon painting nearly disappeared.

Icon painters, along with other religious artifact artisans, had to find a way to make a living.

Most of them turned to making papier-mache, lacquered items based on fairy tales, folk-lore and legends - anything but religion or politics!

In the late 20th century post-Soviet era, a small number of artisans have begun making icons and religious objects again for the tourist trade with less quality compared to those items made in old days.

The condition of this small box is superb.

The black lacquer finish shows some very light scuff marks, but nothing significant that would diminish the beauty of the box.

The red lacquer inside the box shows no wear at all.

The hinge is made of copper and is in perfect working condition; the box closes nice and tight.

Please see photos for details.

This box is not the standard papier-mache you usually see these days, but carved out of real wood.

Using a magnifying glass, you can actually see the wood grain under the thin real gold foil ( not the usual gold colored paint ) that is the halo behind the head of Christ.

The front panel painting is one of the oldest and most recognized icon images ever produced.

"Christ Pantocrator, all-mighty and all-powerful", is the micro-scopic Russian inscription written under the halo.

You will also find four ornate gilt Orthodox crosses on all of the sides of the box.

All of the colors in a Russian Icon have a specific place and value, and this icon strictly adheres to those rules.

You can see the  masterful skill of the painter in his/her minute and delicate brush strokes showing the detail of the face of Christ.

Unlike modern day Russian artisans of lacquered items, the older generation icon painters rarely signed or dated their works.

They simply considered themselves a tool of the religion, not an individual artist.

To sign the box would be taking credit for the work of Christ; it would also be showing individualism where none was supposed to exist.

That rule is disregarded today, and it is one of the things to consider when trying to estimate the age of the box.

This beautiful, superbly crafted and well-cared-for handmade lacquer box would make a great gift!

It would also be a great item for discriminating collectors.  

This Russian Orthodox Icon Box will be carefully packaged and shipped to you free of charge.

Please inquire for rates to Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.

The box is described as objectively as possible. If an item has a scratch or ding, I will tell you.

All pictures are of item to be sent.

Please inquire if you have any questions concerning an item.

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