Featured thee strangest antique russian icon

THANx SO VERY VERY MUCH FOR THE ONGOING HELP!@#!

 

It does not seem that the painted icon would have been practical when this particular palamarka was being used - it would quickly have become very worn. It might have been repurposed and painted as an interesting tourist piece, for sale.

 

This site is so great.......!!!!

if there are others like it......they pale in comparison !!!

Thank you @IvaPan for getting the ball rolling !!!!!!

 

Or, it could have been painted after having been much in use, and saved the fingers time and again.

 

Rclinftl, Komo, it's my pleasure! Always glad to help!

It is indeed a bit strange (for us) to have an icon image on such practical tool although it could have been done to protect the owner from bad luck, maybe for him or her it was normal. Don't know.

 

Yes, quite possible.

 

Such an interesting discussion!

I let Google translate the Bulgarian brief Wikipedia article into English. Here is what it says, generally.
"Palamarka is a wooden glove for the last three fingers of the hand , which is used when reaping with a sickle . At the top, the palmarka ends with an inwardly curved horn (gaga), about 10 cm long. The purpose of the palmarka is to cover more ears and to protect the hand from injuries with the sickle, since when working with it, the ears are cut directly under the hand that grasps them. The horn is also used to tie bundles ."

 

Very good idea, Figtree3, thank you!
Small corrections in the text above- I underlined the wrong word and wrote the right one in red next to it

 

Good! Now it makes more sense.