Religious Icon – Virgin Mary with the Christ Child

Glykophilousa (“Mother of Tenderness”), ca. 1880–1920

This devotional icon on a wooden panel depicts the Virgin Mary with the Christ Child in the intimate iconographic type Glykophilousa (also known as Mother of Tenderness), in which Mary gently presses the Child against her. This representation is beloved within the Orthodox tradition for its emphasis on closeness, love, and compassion.

Mary and the Christ Child are shown against a gold-yellow/ochre background, with halos and Greek abbreviations referring to their sacred status. The composition follows classical Byzantine models, though the execution indicates a mass-produced devotional icon.

On the reverse, there is a handwritten label reading:
“N.D. Rejouissance de l’Enfant – Oulanof 1680.”
This is not the production date of the object, but most likely refers to an iconographic prototype or example from the 17th century; the label was likely added later for devotional or attributive purposes.

Material & technique
Wooden panel with rounded corners
Printed image (chromolithography/offset), not hand-painted tempera
Protective varnish layer
Leather or textile hanging loop on the reverse (likely later addition)

Dating & origin (probable)
Late 19th – early 20th century, ca. 1880–1920
Likely Russia or Eastern Europe
Produced for domestic devotion and export

Condition
Fair to moderate
Wear to edges and corners
Discoloration and craquelure in the print
Minor damage to the image layer
Reverse shows signs of age and use
No recent restorations observed

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Notes:
At House of History, we sell vintage products, which means that our goods may show signs of use. We recommend carefully reviewing the accompanying photos and videos before making a purchase. Do you have more questions about a product or would you like to receive additional photos, videos, or descriptions? Do not hesitate to contact us. We are always here to help. At House of History, we prefer to preserve the original condition of our products. Some customers prefer a polished, restored condition, while others prefer a lived-in look (patina). The majority of our offered products are therefore presented unpolished and uncleaned.