Bidspirit auction | A BYZANTINE OR RUSSIAN DOUBLE-SIDED

A BYZANTINE OR RUSSIAN DOUBLE-SIDED CARVED AMETHYST ICON PENDANT DEPICTING SAINT NICHOLAS AND SAINT PETER. - This double-sided icon pendant is carved from a single piece of translucent purple amethyst. One face features a relief carving of Saint Nicholas, depicted with a beard and halo while holding a Gospel book. This side bears the vertical Greek inscription Ο ΑΓΙΟC to the left and ΝΙΚΟΛΑΟC to the right, which translates to The Holy Nicholas. The reverse face portrays Saint Peter holding a long cross, flanked by the Greek inscription Ο ΑΓΙΟC and ΠΕΤΡΟC, translating to The Holy Peter. The piece is designed with a vertical suspension hole drilled through the centre, indicating its function as a devotional pendant or an element of a panagia.  H: Approximately 2.8cm