Russian Icons?

Keep us posed, I'm curious how old it might be!

 

It is metal all the way, with the faces painted on the metal. Many Serbian travel icons are like that. Different material, but the same tradition, with the texture.
The icon you showed has what is called in Russian a riza or oklad. A silver 'robe' over the wooden panel.

Yes, they are wood. I have mentioned that once or twice.
I have seen many antique Serbian icons on wooden panels with a similar geometric textured background. As I wrote before, it is said to have been inspired by Serbian filigree. Some Serbian icons even have metal filigree mesh much like the rizas/oklads of Russian icons. If you think back, you probably saw those in Serbian churches and monasteries, just like I did.

 

JBo, make sure the dealers you found have experience in spotting fake icons. I know even Christies and Sotheby's have been fooled by the fakers.

Below are some simple tips, but remember, fakers are professionals who know much more about making it look real than we do. This applies mostly to Russian icons:

https://www.realorrepro.com/article/Russian-Icons

https://russianicon.com/antique-russian-icons-how-to-spot-a-fake/

 

Thank you!
I will keep my radar on!
Thank you for these resources — very helpful...

 

Serbian lady here. Russian and Serbian icons are made same way. Local saints may be diferent but majority of icons are same. Based on region where your grandfather came from, you have Russian Orthodox icon. Riga is in Latvia and that region was part of Russian Empire until 1917. Even today Russian orthodox christianity is major religion in Latvia. Hope this helps.

 

Branka, perhaps you will consider adding yourself as one of our language resources in this thread:

Calling all translators.

We often have need of someone who can read Russian or related languages.

 

Done. Added my languages.

 

Thank you - we always appreciate the aid of members who can expand us beyond the anglophone world.