Church tetrapod with twisted columns and gilded carvings

“Just as columns hold the vault of the temple, so faith holds the human heart”

The tetrapod stands in the center of the temple in front of the iconostasis, and it is to it that the faithful approach to venerate the icon of the feast. This tetrapod is handcrafted from alder and adorned with gold leaf and mirror gilding. The white body and gold carvings create a bright, solemn image, while the twisted columns give the piece architectural slenderness and expressiveness.

Product Description

The main decoration of the tetrapod lies in the combination of carved details with twisted columns. The spiral columns emphasize the verticality of the piece, while the gilded carvings on the white background are clearly visible even from a distance, from inside the temple. Such a tetrapod harmoniously complements light interiors and iconostases with gilding.

The upper part has a flat platform 200 mm wide and an inclined side 700 mm long, on which icons are placed. The dimensions of the product are 1400 x 900 x 900 mm, so the icon of the feast is located at a comfortable height for veneration. Each tetrapod is handcrafted by the workshop, so individual elements of the carving may have slight differences from the image in the photo.

Who It’s Suitable For and Who It’s Not

Technical Specifications

Advantages of the Material

• Cleanliness of Carving. The uniform structure of alder allows for precise cutting of the spirals of the columns and small ornamental elements without chipping.
• Lightness with Strength. Alder is lighter than oak, making it easier to carry and install a large tetrapod in the temple.
• Good Base for Finishing. The smooth surface of the wood accepts primer, paint, and gilding well, ensuring a neat appearance of the white body.
• Shine of Mirror Gilding. Gold leaf on the carvings gives a deep luster that is especially expressive in candlelight.

Workshop Traditions

The tetrapod was created by the masters of the creative workshop of sacred products PIVTORAK & COMPANY in Kosiv, Ivano-Frankivsk region. Kosiv is known as one of the centers of Hutsul carving, where the craft is passed down from master to apprentice over generations. While working on church utensils, the masters adhere to established canons of form and proportion, and each detail is made by hand, putting respect into the work for the holy place for which the product is intended.

Care

• Place the tetrapod away from heating appliances and direct sunlight
• Maintain stable humidity in the temple without sharp temperature fluctuations
• Clean gilded details only with a dry soft cloth or soft brush, without water and cleaning agents
• Wipe white surfaces with a slightly damp cloth and immediately dry them
• Do not use abrasive agents, solvents, or aggressive household chemicals
• Remove dust from the recesses of the carvings and columns with a soft brush, applying no force

“The best work of hands is that which is lovingly brought to the temple”

📞 +380678018040
✉️ ivanvakh@gmail.com

The colors and shades of the wood and gilding in the photographs may differ slightly from the actual ones due to lighting conditions during shooting and the settings of your device's screen.