A pair of doors of an iconostasis. Greek Orthodox (Rum), 19th century.
Decorated in a naïve provincial style, in bright colours, and representing the Annunciation (on the upper part) and soldier saints (below). An inscription ‘Meter Teo’ (Mother of God) ca be seen next to the representation of the Virgin Mary.

In Eastern Christianity an iconostasis is a wall of icons and religious paintings, separating the nave from the sanctuary in a church. The nave is the main body of the church where most of the worshippers stand; the sanctuary is the area around the altar, east of the nave, which during liturgical services is (generally) only entered by priests and deacons.

Correspondent: J.M.Criel, Antwerpen
Source: ‘Karaman Museum’ (Ilhan Temizsoy & M. Vehbi Uysal) .