Carved oak altar for proscomidia with twisted columns

“Here, in the silence of the altar, the preparation for the Divine Liturgy begins”

The proskomidi table, or altar table, stands in the church altar, where the priest performs the proskomidia: the preparation of bread and wine for the Eucharist. This proskomidi table is handmade from oak, without gilding. It is adorned with multi-figure relief scenes, twisted columns, and grapevines, with the lighter carved elements distinctly standing out against the background of natural wood.

Product Description

The proskomidi table has a square shape in plan with a flat top, convenient for placing the diskos, chalice, and other sacred vessels. The corners of the body are decorated with twisted columns with carved capitals, which stand on pedestals adorned with rosettes. The side panels are filled with multi-figure relief scenes in an openwork floral frame, and friezes of grapevines run under the top and above the base.

The dimensions of the product are 700 x 700 x 1050 mm. The height of 1050 mm is designed for the priest to comfortably perform the proskomidia while standing. The natural color of the oak without gilding gives the altar table a restrained, focused character, suitable for the altar space.

Who It Is Suitable For and Who It Is Not

Technical Specifications

Advantages of the Material

• Durable tabletop. The hard wood of oak withstands daily use well and does not deform under the weight of sacred vessels.
• Clarity of relief. The dense structure of oak allows for the carving of multi-figure scenes with fine details of faces, clothing, and objects.
• Durability. Oak altar furniture serves for decades under proper conditions, passing from generation to generation of clergy.
• Natural beauty. The grain pattern and warm color of oak do not require gilding or painting, and over the years, the wood acquires a deeper shade.

Workshop Traditions

The proskomidi table is made by the masters of the creative workshop of sacred products PIVTORAK & COMPANY in the city of Kosiv, Ivano-Frankivsk region. Multi-figure relief carving is one of the most complex types of woodworking: the master must convey not only the form but also the essence of the sacred scene. Kosiv carvers have long worked on altar furnishings for the churches of Hutsulshchyna, and the workshop continues this tradition, handcrafting each relief, column, and cluster of vines.

Care

• Place the proskomidi table away from heating appliances and direct sunlight
• Maintain stable humidity in the altar without sharp temperature fluctuations
• Cover the tabletop with a cloth as required by liturgical practice, which additionally protects the wood
• Remove dust from the reliefs, columns, and vines with a soft brush
• Periodically care for the wood with wood care products, such as oil or wax
• Do not use abrasives, solvents, or aggressive household chemicals

“The simplest bread and wine placed on the altar become the beginning of a great Mystery”

📞 +380678018040
✉️ ivanvakh@gmail.com

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