Old Orthodox Icon Appraisal

Eastern Orthodox Icon of the Three Holy Hierarchs

This is a hand-painted Eastern Orthodox icon on wood panel depicting the Three Holy Hierarchs: Saint Basil the Great, Saint Gregory the Theologian, and Saint John Chrysostom. The figures are rendered in a traditional Byzantine-influenced style, each wearing ornate liturgical vestments (omophorion) decorated with crosses and holding gospels. They are set against a blue-gray background with textured gold-leaf halos and Greek or Cyrillic inscriptions identify each figure at the top of the panel. The color palette is dominated by rich reds, blues, and earth tones. The item shows significant signs of age and wear; the lower right corner of the wood panel is missing, and there are visible cracks in the wood grain running vertically through the center. Significant paint loss and flaking are visible along the bottom edge and upper corners, consistent with a piece likely dating to the 18th or 19th century. The icon is float-mounted on a black velvet backing and housed in a modern, elaborate gold-gilt frame with a black inner border featuring delicate floral patterns. No specific maker's mark is visible, but the brushwork suggests a skilled workshop or monastic craftsman. The patina on the wood and the oxidation of the pigments indicate genuine historical age rather than a modern reproduction.