Icon - Our Lady "Burning Bush" ("Neopalimaya kupina").

Oil, board, chalk and plaster underlay; two claws on back; 26.5 x 23.3 cm.
Russia, 19th century.
In the center - figure of the Mother of God with the Child held on her left hand; on the right - Jacob's ladder supported by Mary's arm, symbolizing the ascent of mankind through her intercession - from earth to heaven. The figure of the Mother of God embedded in an eight-pointed star composed of 2 rectangles; in the corners - symbols of the 4 Evangelists from the revelation of St. John the Theologian: a man (angel) - St. Matthew, an eagle - St. John, a lion - St. Mark, an ox - St. Luke. The whole refers to the Old Testament vision of Moses, who saw at Sinai a bush on fire, but not burning - a symbol of the virgin motherhood of Mary.
In the Orthodox Church, such icons were believed to protect against fire.