Antique Greek Portable Travel Icon of Saint Antipas in Wood, 18th Century Post-Byzantine

Details

Description

Antique 18th-century post-byzantine greek portable travel icon of saint antipas

descripton:

a rare and intimate portable travel icon (potovalna ikona) … Read more Antique 18th-century post-byzantine greek portable travel icon of saint antipas

descripton:

a rare and intimate portable travel icon (potovalna ikona) depicting saint antipas, the hieromartyr and bishop of pergamon (1st century ad). Revered in eastern orthodox tradition as the faithful martyr mentioned in the book of revelation (2:13) and widely invoked as the patron saint against toothache and dental pain.

this charming small-format icon exemplifies the post-byzantine greek style characteristic of 18th-century workshops, likely originating from the greek mainland, crete, mount athos, or balkan regions under orthodox influence. The saint is rendered frontally in canonical hierarchical pose: elderly and bearded, with a golden halo, blessing with his right hand (in traditional ic xc gesture), and holding the gospel book marked with alpha and omega symbols on the cover. He wears episcopal vestments featuring the distinctive polystavron omophorion (stole with black crosses). Flanking the halo are red medallions inscribed in greek: "ο αγιος αντιπας" (ho hagios antipas – saint antipas).
executed in classic egg tempera on gesso-prepared wooden panel, the icon displays a restrained warm palette of gold, ochre, red, and dark tones with a somber background – hallmarks of 18th-century conservative orthodox iconography. Its compact size made it perfect for personal devotion, pilgrimage, or travel, a popular format among the faithful.

the surface bears beautiful authentic signs of age: extensive fine craquelure across the paint and varnish layers, natural wood fissures, wormholes, darkened original varnish, and subtle traces of historical use (possibly candle wax). The reverse shows raw aged wood with minor carved marks (possibly symbolic or initials) and a later-added metal hanging bracket.

key details:

subject: saint antipas of pergamon (feast day april 11), disciple of st. John the theologian.
origin: greek or balkan post-byzantine tradition (greek inscriptions, canonical composition).
date: 18th century.
medium: egg tempera on wood panel with gesso ground.
dimensions: approximately 15 cm (height) × 10 cm (width) × 2 cm (depth).

condition: very good antique condition consistent with age and devotional use – stable structure, genuine patina, minor losses and worm damage.
no evidence of modern restoration.

a spiritually evocative and collectible piece, ideal for enthusiasts of orthodox sacred art, healing saints, or rare small-format travel icons.

origin:

based on the iconography (greek inscriptions "ο αγιος αντιπας"), post-byzantine style, technique, and comparable examples from the 18th century, the most likely origin is greece.

the greek inscriptions and canonical post-byzantine composition (polystavron omophorion, simple rigid depiction) are typical of greek workshops from the 18th century.
many such icons were produced on mount athos, in crete, or on the greek mainland – the main centres of orthodox iconography after the fall of byzantium.
saint antipas was particularly venerated in greek orthodoxy (as the bishop of pergamon in asia minor, present-day turkey), and motifs of him were frequently painted by greek iconographers.
russian icons of this saint are usually inscribed in cyrillic and often made of metal/bronze (especially travel icons), rather than wood with greek letters. See less