Icon, Transfiguration on the Mount Tabor - Byzantine style - Egg tempera on gesso on wooden panel - Circa 1800

Central Russian icon from an iconostasis depicting the Transfiguration on the Mount Tabor. The centuries old Byzantine iconography; as old as the 5th century AD, depicts the moment when Christ appears in a heavenly light in the company of Mozes and Eliah. Whilst the Apostles Peter, James and John fall on the ground blinded by the stark light. The scene is mentioned in all 3 synoptic Gospels: Matthew 17,1-8, Mark, 9 2-8 and Luke 9 28-36. The oval shape of this icon is unusual and points to the fact that this icon has been part of a row of 12, 14 or 16 great feasts of the Orthodox Church placed in a Feastday tier of an iconostasis. The icon hails from a workshop influenced by the Old Believers and is in a 100% original state from circa 1800.