a set of three icon panels depicting the deisis, Northern School, possibly Vologda, 2nd half of 16th century

the central panel depicting the Saviour, the side panels showing the Virgin and the Archangel Michael to the left, and Saint John the Baptist and the Archangel Gabriel to the right

There is evidence of restoration to the frame and to the gilding of the central panel, otherwise in overall good condition. We would advise propsective buyers to view.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This deisis shows Christ Pantokrator on the central panel, the Virgin Mary and Archangel Michael, John the Baptist and Archangel Gabriel on the other two. Together the three icons form a so-called five-figure deisis. This is possibly the central part of more extensive, lost work. The deisis is the most important part of the Russian Orthodox iconostasis, the concept of which developed in Byzantium during the tenth and eleventh centuries. A new iconographic form of Christ Pantokrator took shape in Moscow icon painting in the late fourteenth and early fifteenth centuries, in which he sits on a throne surrounded by heavenly powers on a 'glorious' background, consisting of a red lozenge with concave sides, superimposed on an oval and a quadrilateral. The Saviour is surrounded by six-winged cherubim and seraphim, and at the feet of the seated Christ is a winged ring studded with all-seeing eyes. The symbols of the Evangelists are at the corners of the lozenge. The visions of the Prophets Ezekiel (Ez. 3:4-28, 10:1-22) and Isaiah (Is. 6:1-4), John the Baptist (Rev. 4:2-9) were the Evangelical basis for this depiction. The faces in a large number of icons of the Yaroslavl School of the sixteenth century are similarly modelled. (See Ikony Yaroslavlya 13-16 vekov. Moscow: Severny palomnik. 2002)