Museum complex

Templon of iconostasis with images of crucifixion, Saint George and Saint Barbara, a prophet Elijah and Saint Nicholas

Russian North, Kem?
XIII century?
Saint George – «О ГЮРГИ», Elijah the Prophet – «О ИЛЬѦ», a cherub – «Х[ЕР]ОВИ[М], Our Lady – «МАРЬѦ», the Crucifixion – «IС ХЪ», John the Apostle – «ИАНЪ», A seraph – «СЕРОФИ[М], Nicholas the Wonderworker – «О НИКОЛА», Saint Barbara – [ВАР]ВАРА, over the right lion is written – «ЦРЬ» (tsar)
Wood, carving
228 х 25,5 х 7 cm
From: bought from D.S.Bolshakov for 125 rubles from funds of V.M. Vasnetsov in 1904
Open storage

Traditional for the early Orthodox Church was a templon-type iconostasis – a beam system with horizontal beams- templons ends of which were embedded into the walls of the church. Templons themselves could be painted, decorated with stamping or carving. Icons in such iconostasis were placed tight toward one another; icons in iconostasis subsequently became separated with columns.
This icon is a long plank with images: the Crucifixion with Bystanders in the center; by its sides are Cherubim and Seraphim and half-length images of selected saints. The plank has endings in form of relief lions. All images (from left to right) have over them cut inscriptions: Saint George – «О ГЮРГИ», Elijah the Prophet – «О ИЛЬѦ», a cherub – «Х[ЕР]ОВИ[М], Our Lady – «МАРЬѦ», the Crucifixion – «IС ХЪ», John the Apostle – «ИАНЪ», a seraph – «СЕРОФИ[М], Nicholas the Wonderworker – «О НИКОЛА», Saint Barbara – [ВАР]ВАРА, over the right lion is written – «ЦРЬ» (tsar). Probably the last inscription was made later than others.

More information...

The item is unique, but the question about its original presence in the church is still not unambiguously solved. The most possible version is that the icon had a role of the architrave that crowned the chancel screen. But this carved plank could be placed over the door between the refectory and the church porch and the main space of the church.

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