The diptych “Basil the Great. Gregory the Theologian. John Chrysostom. Our Lady of the Sign” originated from the Solvychegodsk Annunciation Cathedral. The folding case with carved bone icons in the center of the panels is covered with gilded basma — sheets of metal embossed in relief. At the top of each panel, there are relief inscriptions with the names of the icons.

The left panel features full-length images of saints Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom. Each of them holds books in the left hand and forms a blessing gesture with the right hand.

Although the images are somewhat schematic and the carving style is simplified, the three saints are portrayed in a very expressive manner. The strict silhouettes of their pillar-like figures embody the concept of “the Pillars of the Church”.

The right panel features the icon of Our Lady of the Sign which was especially admired and venerated in Russia. This iconography can be traced to the early Christian images of the Mother of God with Her hands raised in the “orans” position. Such icons became popular in the Christian art of the catacombs.

In Russia, the image of Our Lady of the Sign first appeared in the 12th century. This type was often used on smaller items, such as panagias, folding icons, pectoral icons, and crosses.

The Virgin Mary is depicted with Her hands raised in prayer. Upon Her breast, there is an image of the Child Jesus blessing Her. The icon’s composition is uncharacteristically vivid. The Virgin’s halo is surrounded by the wings of the Seraphim and the Cherubim as if She is radiating Her luminous energy in concentric circles.

Their opposite wings form arches of portals that descend onto the open palms of the Mother of God. She seems to support this symbolic church with Her hands. The relief image is characterized by a geometric nature, with the shapes of figures determined by the logic of circles, vertical and horizontal axes. The minimalist style, ornateness, lack of detail, and absence of narrative make both compositions uniquely architectonic, imbued with a deep sacred meaning.