True Cross Icon Appraisal

Icon of Saints Constantine and Helena with the True Cross in an Ornate Gilt Frame

This item is an antique or vintage religious icon, likely of Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition, depicting a male and female saint, possibly Sts. Constantine and Helena, standing on either side of a large black cross. The iconography suggests the Finding of the True Cross. The figures are rendered in a traditional iconographic style with haloed heads, and their robes display rich colors, with the female figure in red/purple and the male in green/blue. The background of the icon is predominantly gold, likely painted or applied with gold leaf, featuring intricate patterned details, typical of icons. A Greek or Cyrillic inscription is visible at the bottom of the central image, contributing to the item's authenticity and potential origin. The icon is housed behind glass within a multi-layered, ornate frame. The innermost layer of the frame appears to be gold-painted wood or gesso, with a patterned border, possibly a repeating floral or geometric motif. This is surrounded by a wider frame section adorned with detailed, raised relief carvings of scrolling foliage, such as acanthus leaves, also finished in gold paint. The outermost frame layer is darker, possibly stained or ebonized wood, with a decorative carved edge further enhancing its elaborate appearance. Visible condition issues include some scuffing and minor losses to the gold paint on the frame, consistent with age and handling. There appears to be some dust or debris under the glass, and reflections on the glass obscure some minor details of the icon itself. The craftsmanship of the frame suggests a late 19th or early 20th-century period, providing a robust and fitting enclosure for the religious artwork within. The overall quality indicates a well-crafted piece, designed to be both devotional and decorative.