Russian 4 Leaf Icon Depicting Church Feasts of the New Testament

An entire church calendar, small enough to fold shut and carry.

This 4 leaf icon depicting the feasts of the church comes from Russia and dates to the mid 18th century. It is bronze with enamel. Russian Orthodox believers used folding metal icons for prayer at home and on journeys, since they could travel with their owners and endure hard handling. Each hinged leaf ends in an arched, onion-shaped top, with small raised scenes packed into square panels below. Dark blue and turquoise enamel lies behind the figures, with some areas now bare. Just under 16 inches wide when open, and 6.75 high.

A great deal of scripture, in a very modest space.