Russian 4 Leaf Icon Depicting Church Feasts of the New Testament, Based

A church year on hinges.

This four-leaf folding icon of church feasts comes from Russia and dates to about 1800. It is made of bronze with enamel. Folding metal icons were widely made in Russia and are closely associated with the Old Believers, who favored them for travel and home devotion. Four hinged leaves stand open, each with an onion-arched top above four square scenes crowded with tiny figures against white and dark enamel. A black stand holds it up. Just over fifteen inches wide.

Twenty scenes in all. Close the hinges and they keep to themselves.