Russian Icon Depicting the Intercession of the Virgin, Protection of Mother of God, Based

In Orthodox belief, a single veil could shelter a whole city.

This bronze icon depicts the Intercession of the Virgin, also called the Protection of the Mother of God. It comes from Russia and dates to about 1780. The feast recalls a vision of Mary spreading her veil over the faithful at prayer, and small metal icons could travel with their owners or stand in a household corner. Crowded rows of figures fill the panel, inside a border of scrolling vines. A pointed crest rises above, with a roundel at its center. It stands 9.5 inches high on its base, the image 7 inches high.

Protection, at a size that fits the hand.