Similar to icon #5 in this exhibit, here John is seen delivering a blessing with his right hand and with his left hand he holds a salver containing his head and a scroll upon which is written “Repent ye; for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” Depicted lower right is a tree with an axe illustrating Luke 3:9: “And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the tree: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” The borders and the head of John are decorated with strips of repoussé silver. These strips (called basma) would later evolve into full metal coverings called riza or oklad. On the top margin is the “Image Not Made By Hands.” The decorative metal strip along the top bears the title for this icon, “The Holy Prophet John the Forerunner.”
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