The Saviour
Details
The prototype for this icon in relief is a 14th century painted icon in Chilindari monastery on Mount Athos.
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Relief Icons
The Greek Orthodox Tradition was rooted in classical Greek art which was dominated by sculpture.
Icons in relief carved in ivory or marble were an important part of that heritage.
In due course painting developed with a major contribution from Egyptian tomb painting
in encaustic. Painted icons in large part superseded relief icons but this aspect
of the tradition was never lost and continues to be practised to-day as in these
relief icons which are carved and subsequently rendered into metal by electroplating
techniques using moulds made from the original carving.
My technique is to model the icon in relief in wax initially and cast this into plaster
for delineating the detail of the master model.
The SaviourThe prototype for this icon in relief is a 14th century painted icon in Chilindari monastery on Mount Athos.
The Mother of God
This relief icon is gold and silver plated.
DetailsA copper version is also available.Details
The design of this icon was overseen by monks of the Monastery of The Fountain of Life
on the island of Paros, Greece.They have confirmed that the icons in relief shown here
are true to the Greek Orthodox Tradition.
Icons depict a redeemed world. My relief icons do not exceed approximately 5 millimetres
of relief so that they conform to the Orthodox Tradition of regarding the third dimension
as evidence of the fallen state.
St.Katherine St.Katherine lived in 4th Century Alexandria. She was a high-born,
beautiful and learned maiden who at the age of 12 had been
baptised at her own request. This is shown inset in the icon with
her mother beside her holding a lamp. Later she protested to the
emperor Maxentius against the worship of idols.Learned
philosophers were unable to refute her, so an attempt was made
to break her will by torture on a spiked wheel.The attempt failed
and the wheel broke apart. Her left hand rests on the wheel
from which is derived the the name "Katherine wheel".
Subsequently she was beheaded and her body buried
in Sinai at the site of the monastery
that bears her name.
Details
St.George
Early icons depict St.George as a soldier saint. The dragon was added later.
The story is told that he killed a dragon which was threatening a princess, more
fairy story than history! However the mythological symbolism has a deeper meaning about
overcoming evil. The expression on St.George's face and his wielding of his lance is
one of equanimity and compassion which could only come about because of the purity
of his sainthood.
The AnnunciationThe archangel Gabriel disturbs Mary whilst she is spinning.
She is alarmed by the intimation of her forthcoming role but accepts it with humility.
The electroplating is done by the BJS Company Ltd.
Frames in English oak and walnut are made by David Goode.
© Copyright 2005 George Blair