Triptych of the Deësis

Creator

Preview

Creation Date

ca. 1800

Geography

Russia

Culture

Russian Empire

Medium

Metal alloy, Enamel

Dimensions

‘13.4 oz (38 1.1 g)’

Closed:

‘3 × 2/10 × 0/10 in. (7.2 × 6.12 × 0.12 cm)

Open:

‘3 × 7/18 × 0/6 in (7.2 × 9.3 × 0.5)

Credit Line

Bequest of David P. Harris ('46), 2020

Accession Number

2020.303

Provenance

Purchased by David P. Harris from Bowater Antiques in London on July 2, 1966.

Condition

The enamel on the third panel depicting Christ above his halo is chipped. There is also a small hole in the metal on the right side of Christ.

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Cover:

The King of Glory

Црь слвы

Tsr slvy

Jesus Christ

IC XC

Son to Meter thou (Mother of God)

Снъ бжiн

Sn Bzhin

Weapons of Passion

К Т

K T

The place of execution

МЛРБ

MLRB

Head of Adam

ГА

GA

Right Wing:

Saint John The Baptist

Сты Iоаннъ Креститель

Stiy Ioan Krestitel

Behold the lamb of god who the world

Сенаг нец б бжiн в зе

Senag nets b bzhin v ze

(This is a fragment of the passage of John 1:29, “And in the morning John saw Jesus coming to him and said, Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.”

Center Panel:

Lord Almighty

Гдье Держитель

Gde Derzhitel

Come unto me, all ye who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28)

Прiидите ко мнѣ́ вси труждáющiися и обременéн­нiи, и áзъ упокóю вы́

Priidite ko mnye vsi truzhdaiushchiisya i obremenennii, i az’ upokoiu vui

Left Wing:

Labeled in Greek as Meter Theou: Mother of God

Влкш Миш Гоми Лосп Ивеги Прири

Vlksh Miesh Gomie Losp Ivyegie Pririe

Description

This three-paneled icon, known as a Triptych Deësis, refers to an icon style featuring Christ enthroned, flanked on either side by the Virgin Mary and John the Baptist. This arrangement highlights their roles as the first witnesses to Christ’s divinity. Metal icons such as this were highly favored amongst old believers in the Russian Empire.

The icon is designed to be foldable, consisting of four distinct sections: a central panel, two hinged side wings, and an outer cover. The cover is ornamented with a decorative border framing a depiction of Jerusalem and Mount Golgotha, the site of Christ’s crucifixion.

On the left wing, the Virgin Mary is portrayed in a manner reminiscent of the Hodegetria style. She turns her body toward Christ and gestures toward him with one hand, while holding a scroll in the other. She is identified by the traditional Greek inscription Meter Theou (Mother of God) and surrounded by elegant decorative elements.

The right wing presents John the Baptist attending to a small bowl that cradles the Christ child, symbolising the body of Christ or the lamb of God. Which matches the inscription John the Baptist holds within the same hand, “Behold the lamb of God.” John is also depicted with a large pair of wings, emphasizing his role as a divine messenger. This is a common depiction of John the Baptist in Orthodox iconography.. His image is framed with ornate detail and labeled as St. John the Baptist.

At the heart of the triptych, Christ is depicted with his right hand raised in blessing, while his left hand holds an open Bible displaying the passage from Matthew 11:28: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” He is labeled simply as Jesus Christ, and like the figures on either side, is enclosed in a beautifully detailed border.