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Foundation for International Arts and Education

Precious metal studded with semi-precious gems—that is what has characterized Georgian art over the millennia. Originally commissioned as a gift for the Georgian queen Tinatin (1532–48), this 23-inch-high, jewel-encrusted “Icon of the Savior” (compare with photo of goblet) is typical of Georgia’s late medieval period. The relatively conventional tempera painting of Christ is set against a Byzantine gold-relief backdrop, resplendent with garnets, rubies, turquoise, amethysts, pearls and bone.