Russian Silver Icon

Five saints stand in a row, with horses galloping below.

Russian painters made this icon in wood, with silver, in the 19th century. Icons in Russia are commonly painted on wood panels for devotion at home or in church. Five haloed saints stand in a line across the upper part, one holding a cloth with a face on it, and below them a rider on a white horse leads a small herd through a stylized landscape.

About twelve inches tall and ten wide. The horses steal the show. Dark panel, bright story, plenty to look at close up.