Ancient travel icon Odighitria Saint Nicholas folding 19th century 7x3 cm

Ancient travel icon Odighitria Saint Nicholas folding 19th century 7x3 cm. This travel icon, dating back to the 19th century, depicts Saint Nicholas, one of the most important figures of Russian iconography, together with the Virgin Hodeghitria. The spread of travel icons took hold between the 17th century and the early 20th century. The use of travel icons differs from the wooden one due to some advantages such as sustainable cost, modest weight and resistance to scratches and wear. To facilitate diffusion, initially, icons were mass-produced with metals such as copper and bronze. Later brass and silver began to be used. The believer, thanks to the ease of transport, was thus able to enjoy beneficial protection during daily work, during wars, during travel and could pray to the Saints in their own privacy. The artists started from simple bronze plaques or crosses and after having purified them in the fire, cleaned, gilded and enameled them, they created various themes. This icon is shipped in an elegant box together with an appraisal carried out by an expert. It measures 7x3 cm and dates back to the 19th century. It comes from Moscow.