Exhibited 19th Century Russian Icon Depicting Florus, Laurus and selected Saints. Tempera on silver-leaf on wood. The Archangel Michael stands at center and holds the "Not Made by Hands" image of Christ on a cloth. He is flanked by two bishops and by Saints Florus and Laurus. Florus and Laurus were stonemason brothers who were martyred in the 2nd century by being thrown into a well that was then filled with earth. In Orthodoxy, the brothers were the patron saints of stonemasons. They also became closely associated with the care and raising of horses and were popular as the patron saints of horse herding. They are commemorated on August 18th, a date that became commonly known as the Horse Festival. Size: 13.75 x 12.25 inches.