A double-sided icon of the birth and beheading of St John, circa 1600

Beheading of St John: The icon covered in darkened varnish and dirt. The tabletka has been set into a 19th century wood frame which has been regilded and repainted along the inner borders of the frame. The outer border stripped to the levkas. Some minor retouching to the painting. Birth of St John: The icon covered in darkened varnish and dirt. The tabletka has been set into a 19th century wood frame which has been regilded and repainted along the inner borders of the frame. The outer border stripped to the levkas. Some minor retouching to the painting.
"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."

Tabletki are small double-sided icons executed in tempera on several layers of canvas pasted together or on a thin wood panel. In earlier centuries these miniature icons were called ‘cloths’. Stored in special cases within sanctuaries or hung in churches, on feast or saint’s days the corresponding tabletka would have been placed on a lectern in front of the iconostasis for veneration. It is highly likely that the origin of the tabletka is connected with menologia, the special service books that were arranged in accordance to months and saints' days. The most famous series of tabletki in Russia are those of the St Sofia Cathedral in Novgorod which date from circa 1500.