We present an unusual and intriguing collector's curiosity – a Russian icon depicting the scene of the Dormition of the Theotokos (Uspenie), being a deliberate forgery made in a bygone era. This item is a fascinating document of the history of collecting and sacred art, combining lithographic technique with hand-painting on a wooden backing. The icon faithfully reproduces the canonical scene of the Dormition (Uspenie) of the Mother of God. In the center of the composition, we see Mary reclining on a bed, surrounded by mourning apostles who managed to arrive from the far ends of the world. Above the scene, Christ hovers, holding in His hands the soul of His Mother, symbolically depicted as a swaddled infant. The scene is completed by angels and architectural elements of Jerusalem. Why is this item worth a collector's attention?

• Period forgery – it is not a modern fake, but a historical trace of antiquarian market practices, possessing its own documentary and collector value.
• Unique technique – the combination of lithographic printing with hand-painting with paints on a board was a common method of imitating expensive, traditionally written icons.
• Rich symbolism – the icon of the Dormition is one of the most important themes in Orthodoxy, illustrating Mary's transition from earthly life to eternal life and the theology of life after death.
• Condition – the item has typical signs of age and use, which confirm its authenticity as a "period fake," adding to its genuineness and atmosphere.

This object will be an excellent addition to a collection devoted to sacred art, Russian antiques, artistic forgeries, or the history of iconography. It is more than an icon – it is a story about the desire to possess the sacred and the complexity of the art market.