This unusual devotional chest appears to have lived more than one life. The exterior resembles a small strongbox or document chest, constructed from dark-stained timber and fitted with brass hardware. Yet when opened, it reveals a hidden sacred interior: a miniature icon of the Virgin Mary Gorgoepikoos ("She Who Is Quick to Hear") concealed behind a fine veil, alongside a compartment containing a copy of The New Testament: The Revised Berkeley Version in Modern English. Together, these elements transform an ordinary storage chest into a deeply personal space for prayer, reflection, and private devotion.
The icon of the Virgin Mary Gorgoepikoos is associated in the Orthodox tradition with swift intercession and compassionate assistance in times of need. Hidden within the lid and revealed only when the chest is opened, it creates the sense of uncovering a private sanctuary. The inclusion of the New Testament suggests the box may have been assembled as a travelling devotional companion, allowing its owner to carry scripture and sacred imagery wherever life took them. While the exact origins of the piece are unknown, the chest itself appears older than its devotional contents and was likely repurposed at a later date. The Berkeley translation contained within was first published in 1969, providing a rough indication of when the prayer chest may have taken its present form.
Presented exactly as acquired, the chest retains its original wear, patina, and signs of age, all of which contribute to its character and history. The interior remains complete with its concealed icon, fabric-lined compartment, brass fittings, key, and accompanying New Testament.
A unique offering with only one available.
Measurements: Approx. 23cm width × 18cm depth × 20cm height
Materials: Timber, brass hardware, fabric lining, printed icon, hardcover New Testament
Contents: Icon of the Virgin Mary Gorgoepikoos and The New Testament: The Revised Berkeley Version in Modern English
