Russian icon depicting St. Micheal the Archangel, Late 19th century
Height x width: 15 x 12.5 cm.
In Russian, Михаил, as written at the top of the icon. In the Orthodox tradition, when Archangel Michael is depicted on horseback, the iconography emphasizes his authority as the commander of the heavenly hosts in the battle against the forces of evil. In the icon, Archangel Michael is portrayed riding a winged horse into battle, heading toward victory, sounding the trumpet, and wielding a sword, while holding the Bible in his left hand.