Votive plaque

A rectangular plaque pendant; along the top edge is a slotted opening for hanging together with a bent metal loop. The surface is decorated with a border of relief dots and leaves in the corners; the field bears a high-relief image of a pair of eyes, with finely worked pupils and eyelashes.

The plaque belonged to the collection of the Sloboda Ukraine Museum named after H. S. Skovoroda. During the Second World War the pendant was evacuated and returned to Kharkiv in November 1944.

Votive plaques are small metal plates shaped like, or bearing an image of, various parts of the human body or organs in need of healing. They were hung on the most miracle-working and venerated icons as a petition for healing or in thanks for healing received. This tradition was widespread in Ukraine in the 17th–19th centuries.