"Crucifix with interceding Virgin and John the Theologian
Late 18 c. Wood, levkas, tempera. Round sculptures.
Originated from the (evidently, desecrated) church of St.Alexander Nevskyi in the village of Ust-Kachka of Permskyi district, Russia. Perm State Art gallery"
Yes, it is interesting. Looks not exactly Orthodox, but Western. This is ironic, considering that, being Western in flavor, it came from a temple dedicated to St. Alexander Nevskyi.
During the reign of Peter the Great, Russia was corrupted by a lot of Western European ideas, including ideas as to art, and it was partly in reaction that the Old Believers rose up. I imagine the Old Believers might go ballistic looking at this icon.
The grouping is commonly called a "rood" in England and is often found hanging from the ceiling over the crossing in the nave, or on a beam over the crossing. In Orthodox temples, it might go on top of the icon screen.
Ironically, with its back to the Ural mountains, Perm is about as far as you can go East without leaving Europe. You were not aware of the collection? This is the only website I could find:
www.sculpture.permonline.ru. I saw much more in Perm, including some decidedly uncanonical sculptures of Christ sitting down deep in thought or grief. This is NOT the most striking image of what I saw about 30 years ago, the site apparently has a preference for better preserved and realistic pieces.
Christ in Prison
From the Church of the Ressurrection of Christ, Solikamsk, Russia
It is indeed a local phenomenon. Every now and then one comes across a peasant artizan in Russia who would carve weathervanes and window ornaments and develop a local clientele. Possibly, before persecution of Christianity, such talents found their application in religious art. Of interest is the collection of God the Father images that you will find at the site, also unorthodox. I remember discussing one with Kosta.
The Urals are also filled with the Old Believers, by the way.