Unique Pectoral Icon of St. Nicholas (Suzdal)

The pectoral icon of St. Nicholas is a unique exhibit on display at the Gold Treasury of St. Euthymius monastery in Suzdal. It consists of two parts made in different times and countries, an irregularly shaped oval cameo with the icon in the middle and lavishly decorated gold mounting around it. Its size with mount is 7,2 х 5 х 0,4 sm (2.8 x 2 x 0,15 in) , and cameo only - 2,2 х 1,9 sm (0.86 x 0.75 in).

The cameo is a rare piece of jewelry carved from sapphire in Byzantine and dates to 11–12th centuries. The bust-length portraiture of St. Nicholas depicted with a closed book in his left hand. In the light on the icon, from the left and right of the figure of the saint, two signs appear in Greek: “АГО НИКОЛSО”.

Its gold mounting adorned with elegant filigree, shiny pearls and pink rubies was created by a Russian master in Moscow and belongs to the early 15th century.

The pectoral icon originated from the Intercession Convent of Suzdal. It was part of the decorations of icon of Our Lady of Vladimir in the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Virgin.

Photo #113 taken on December 25, 2018 during long-distance countryside 2-day tour to the cities of Golden Ring of Russia with my dear clients from Hong Kong, Esther and Ricky.