18th C Antique Religious Painted Icon Dormition Orthodox Art Mary Mother of God

DESCRIPTION Rare antique religious icon of the Dormition of the Mother of God. Painted on wooden board in vivid golds and reds this antique piece of art depicts the "falling asleep" or death of Mary (the Theotokos or "Mother of God", literally translated as God-bearer), and her bodily resurrection before being taken up into heaven. This particular version appears to be a later variant by Theophan the Greek, 1392 but it is thought to date to the 18th century . The Theotokos is depicted lying on a bier, surrounded by the Twelve Apostles. At center, Jesus Christ is shown in a mandorla swaddling the soul of the Virgin Mary. To either side of him are depicted the Hieromartyrs Dionysius the Areopagite and Ignatius the God-Bearer who, according to tradition, are responsible for transmitting the account of the dormition. The painting is overlaid with silver with an inscription in cyrillic above the scene and underneath.A great addition to your rare religious collectibles.MEASUREMENTS Icon m