Large Triptych Of The Mother Of God, Greece 18th Century / Orthodox Icon Virgin Mary

Rare and impressive triptych representing the Mother of God of Iveria accompanied by various saints.
This superb and luminous icon comes from the famous iconographic school of the Ionian Islands in Greece and dates from the middle of the 18th century around 1750.
On the central panel, the Mother of God is represented crowned, symbol of her celestial dimension. She points with her right hand to the infant Christ standing to her left -- thus symbolically indicating the path to follow. This representation of Mary takes its name from the Orthodox monastery of Iveria located in the Monastic Republic of Mount Athos in Greece.
On the side panels, we find the Archangel Michael (upper left) Saint Anthony (upper right) and various other saints inculding Saint Spiridon and Saint Basil.
Large triptychs, such as this one, were often commissioned by churches and were intended to be placed on the altar during the ritual.
This triptych, of great elegance, is very finely painted in tempera (egg yolk-based paint) on a wooden panel carved in its upper part.
The Ionian School was an iconographic school that developed from the end of the 17th century in Greece and which is distinguished by the influence of the Veneto-Cretanean style and Italian religious painting on the older canons of Greek Byzantine iconography.
Very good condition of conservation. Minor wear and cracks.
This collector's item is sold with its certificate of authenticity and a complete description of the work.
Dimensions open: (H) 48 cm by (W) 52 cm
Dimensions closed: (H) 48 cm by (W) 27.5 cm