Description in Icons, Nationalmuseum, Stockholm, 2004, cat. no. 185:
A pair of Miniature Royal Doors
First half of 18th century
NMI 2

Wood: Linden (Tilia sp.), egg tempera.
Each panel made of single board and
probably later jointed with two inlaid
splines; on back of left board round
cavity, diameter cm approx., for
relics; on the outside of the outer edge
of the icon a small depression in the
panel, probably for a lost frame; back
painted black.

PROVENANCE: Olof Aschberg;
Gift of O.Aschberg 1933
BIBLIOGRAPHY: Kjellin 1933, no 2;
Kjellin 1956, p 144
CONSERVATION: Restored prior to entering
NM: scattered repaintings. Damage and
paint losses on the lower edge of the icon;
yellowed varnish; panel worm-eaten at
the lower edge
The form and composition of this icon
relates to the central door of the iconostasis,
known as the Royal Doors.
This, however, does not fit the iconography,
except for the Annunciation
motif of the uppermost section, which
is depicted in both cases. Otherwise
the unifying theme of this icon is one
of birth. The Nativity of the Mother
of God is depicted top left, beneath it
the birth of St Nicholas, and top right
the Nativity of Christ and, beneath
that, the birth of St John the Baptist.
The scene actually depicted under
the head ing of the Nativity of Christ
is the Adoration of the Magi. This
composition is not unusual.
The doors most probably came
from an icon shrine (kiot).
[slut]