The Holy Empress Helena Byzantine Style Gold Body Icon

The tradition to wear miniature icons of precious metals around the neck was born in ancient Byzantium. Those icons served not only as religious symbols, but also as exquisite jewelry that retained its magical powers.

Rose gold orthodox icon pendant 'The Holy Helena, Empress of Constantinople'. An inscription in Russian on the reverse reads: Святая равноапостольная Елена, Моли Бога о нас (The Holy Elena, Equal-to-the-Apostles, Pray for us). Dimensions (with bail): 21mm (13/16 inch) in height by 11mm (7/16 inch) in width. An exquisitely perfect, it may be considered as either a women's body icon or a children's body icon. Laser cutwork jewelry technique over textured 585 gold. Made in Kostroma, Russia