Antique 18th Century Greek Orthodox Icon Triptych Greece

Antique, 18th century, Greek Orthodox icon triptych, finely hand painted on wood panels. The center panel, with a niche carved as a raised arch, depicts finely hand-painted the Mother Of God, "HODEGETRIA," with silver painted nimbate and two Angels holding the Virgin's Crown of the Queen of Heaven, flanked by Greek letters "MP OY," an abbreviation of the Greek "Mater Theos" (the Mother of God). 
The Theotokos is dressed in an embroidered maroon veil and holds Jesus with her left arm. Around Christ's Head is painted a silver nimbus crown. Inside Christ's nimbate is the Cross—the Cross of Salvation—with three arms for the Holy Trinity. 
The Greek letters ώ Ό Ν (omega, omicron, nu) are upon the three arms. Beside Christ's Head are the letters "IC" and "XC," a widely used four-letter abbreviation of the Greek for Jesus (IHCOYC) Christ (XPICTOC). The savior is dressed in elaborate pallium and colobium, holds in his left hand a book of Gospels, and makes the gesture of teaching or blessing with his right hand.

The two upper rows of the wings are painted with two Holy Martyrs, honored by carrying a cross of martyrdom in their right hand and inscribed with Greek script.

The left lower row is painted with St George slaying the Dragon.
Saint George was a Christian who is venerated as a saint in Christianity. According to tradition, he was a soldier in the Roman army. Saint George was a soldier of Cappadocian Greek origin and a member of the Praetorian Guard for Roman emperor Diocletian, who was sentenced to death for refusing to recant his Christian faith. He became one of the most venerated saints and megalomartyrs in Christianity, and he has been especially venerated as a military saint since the Crusades. He is respected by Christians, Druze, and some Muslims as a martyr of monotheistic faith.

The right lower row depicts St. Demetrios of Thessalonica, killing the Bulgarian Tsar Kaloyan.
Saint Demetrius of Thessaloniki was a soldier who lived in the early 4th century. He was the son of a high-ranking soldier in the Greek army. As a young man, he refused to convert to Paganism, and he is known for the miracles he performed on the battlefield, saving Greece from the Bulgarian Tsar Kalojan.

CONDITION: It is shown to be 200 years old with a dark natural patina, some wear overall, the paint surface distressed, and wear and craquelure overall with age and use, with a dark patina. Free of repaint and repairs.

MEASUREMENTS:
Open: 40.5 cm x 30.3 cm. (15.94 inches x 11.93 inches).
Closed: 30.3 cm x 21 cm (11.93 inches x 8.27 inches).

Since the market is flooded with reproductions of the Greek Orthodox wooden icon triptych, which for inexperienced collectors looks the same as the authentic objects, we would like to inform our clients that this is a genuine antique Icon accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.