Copper-cast old believers' folding icons from the collection of the astrakhan state art gallery named after P. M. Dogadin

Background. Copper-cast sacred objects, crosses, icons and folding doors, which appeared in Russia with the adoption of Christianity as elements of Byzantine church symbols, acquired over time an important role as cult paraphernalia of Russian believers for many centuries. After the split in the Russian Orthodox Church (17th century), copper-cast icons and artifacts became an integral part of the religious life of the Old Believers who remained faithful to pre-Reform Orthodoxy. In the territory of the modern Astrakhan region, the Old Believers appeared at the end of the 17th century, initially as exiled rebels or fugitives; but over time, the communities of the Ancient Orthodox became an organic component of the religious landscape of the Lower Volga region. The long and eventful existence of the Old Believers in the Astrakhan land could not but leave a large number of cultural and sacred artifacts, some of which are in the collections and expositions of the Astrakhan State Picture Gallery named after P. M. Gugadin, but have not yet been identified.

Purpose. The purpose of the study is to describe and attribute two exhibits of the gallery - Old Believers three–leaf folding doors made using the technique of Russian copper casting.

Methodology. The work was carried out using historical, genetic and structural analysis, typological classification methods and comparative procedures; functional analysis was involved in the discussion of the results of the work.

Results. The relevance and significance of the proposed article lies primarily in the introduction into scientific circulation of information about the Astrakhan collection of copper casting, as well as in the assessment of their cultural and historical potential.

Practical implications. The results can be applied in the educational process in the training of cultural scientists, in the preparation of expositions and excursion programs.