Painted medallions from the modern-age coffin-reliquary of the Holy King Stefan of Dečani

The modern-age coffin-reliquary of the Holy King Stefan Dečani was made at Monastery in 1849. It is believed to have been and wood-carved by woodworker Dimitar Stanišev Kruševo painted icon-painter Anastas Konstantinović. shaped like a four-legged sarcophagus, gilded ornately decorated with woodcarvings enveloping fields narrative scenes portraits Serbian saints. Among other images, lid features 31 circular medallions busts rulers church dignitaries. visual exemplars for shaping these were Stematografija Hristifor Žefarović his copper plates "St. Sava saints from house Nemanja" "The Branković Srem." selection depicted their iconography suggest that painter certainly familiar Rimnica Venetian Srbljak. In addition, artist had iconostasis parekklesion St. Demetrios, created 1813, right front him, church. However, much larger number than Stematografija. And yet, repertoire on does not include some those shown iconostasis, such as Archbishop Danilo Basil/Vasilije Ostrog. most distinctive characteristic this repetition - twice. A noticeable effort find way group saints, so, few places pairs appear one next another here, too. Female are also grouped together, including Empress Helena, who special place culture 19th century. remarkable example symbiosis Mijak woodcarving so-called zographos painting has great importance national history, research art Balkans phenomenology cults. Its study opens various questions concerning ktetorship, authorship, models, etc. Out plethora questions, text focuses its models. holy king represents rounded work images dignitaries, representing extensive gallery kind 19th-century art.