Byzantine icon of two saints

Byzantine icon of two saints, 15th century, 48 x 32.5 cm, tempera and metal leaf on panel. This very fine and early icon depicts a pair of saints in a symmetrical composition. The saint on the right holds the cross of the martyrdom and turns his left palm outward, while his companion on the left holds the cross while his left arm is under his robe. Both are shown frontally, wearing elaborate mantles decorated with gold and gems linked to Byzantine imperial imagery. The icon is painted meticulously with bright colours against a gold background, the red border was repainted over a gold leaf layer, the names of the saints are partially visible on the right, the left side and in the middle of the icon, the haloes are incised in the gilded gesso. The anonymous painter of this icon is using an iconographical type typical for the late Byzantine period (as seen on an icon of Saint Catherine and Saint Marina from the Mount Sinai Egypt Collection). He has maintained the unusual type of perspective and also gave more attention to the representation of details such as those on the elaborate mantles (these very similar to elements on an icon of Saint Catherine and the Virgin in the Saint Catherine Monastery, Egypt). The shape of the crosses held by the saints, in particular their three arms structure, is characteristic of this period (compare for instance the reverse of the icon of the Presentation of Mandylion to King Abgar from the Mount Sinai Collection). Although this icon has a slight archaism in its style, a feature characteristic for works influenced by popular culture, it was likely painted at the beginning of the 15th century. Good condition overall, some abrasion on the gold leaf of the haloes and background, the haloes have been incised with round patterns, the decoration of the background is made with square cut gold leaf, the haloes and details of costumes also created with gold leaf, extensive craquelure on the entire surface of the paint layer, the edges of the image are covered with an red colour paint over looses on small areas suggesting a later application. Red text has been applied over loses to the background also suggesting a later restoration in a thick uneven varnish layer. Very rare and important!