Since ancient times, the icon for the Russian man has been the embodiment of spirituality. There are many cases in which the icon helped the Russian people in getting rid of troubles. Healing from incurable diseases, ending wars, salvation during fires - all under the power of miraculous icon-painting images.
As you know, the first images of the faces of Jesus Christ, the Virgin and saints appeared a very long time ago. Some of them have survived to our time.
The most famous icons of Russia
Today, 30 ancient icons are known. All of them are valuable not only financially, but also historically.
List of the most famous icons of Russia:
- Kazan Icon of Our Lady.
- Vladimir Icon of Our Lady.
- Trinity.
- Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God.
- Smolensk icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
- Don Icon of the Mother of God.
- Iveron Icon of the Mother of God.
- Theodore Icon of the Virgin.
- The Sign of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
- Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God.
- St Nicholas.
- Tenderness.
- Icon of Nicholas of Mozhaisk (Nicholas the Wonderworker).
- Spas Eleazarovsky.
- Seven-gun icon of the Mother of God.
- Blessed Ksenia of Petersburg.
- Icon of the Holy Matrona of Moscow.
- Transfiguration.
- St. Basil the Blessed.
- Saint Spyridon of Trimyphuntus.
- Spas miraculous.
- Seraphim of Sarov.
- Savior in power.
- Mother of God Hodegetria.
- Pochaevskaya Mother of God.
- Icon of Peter and Paul.
- Icon of Seraphim of Sarov.
- Spas Golden Robe.
- Ustyug Annunciation.
- Bogolyubskaya Mother of God.
The listed icons are historically important objects. All of them are saved and available for viewing. Many of them are in state museums and galleries.
Icon of the Mother of God of Vladimir
One of the most famous ancient icons is the image of the Mother of God of Vladimir. There is a legend which says that the companion of the apostle Paul Luke became the author of the icon. The date of writing dates back to the 5th century. Unfortunately, there is no direct evidence that the image was written by the evangelist.
Presumably, the icon was brought to Russia in 1131. It was a gift to the Russian prince from Constantinople from the patriarch Luke. In Russia, the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God has come a long way and has traveled to different parts of the country.
First, she received the name of the Vyshgorod Mother of God. This is due to its original location. The icon has been in the Mother of God Monastery for over twenty years, which is located in Vyshgorod near Kiev. In 1155, Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky transferred the antique icon to Vladimir. In this regard, the image began to be called the Vladimir Mother of God. Various feuds and wars did not bypass the icon.
The Vladimir Mother of God was moved to Moscow in 1395. After that, she was transported several times, but in the end, in 1480, she was returned to the Assumption Cathedral in Moscow. She was there until 1918. After restoration, the icon was in the State Historical Museum for some time. Later in the Tretyakov Gallery. Today, the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God can be seen in the church of St. Nicholas. The temple does not function for its intended purpose. This is museum. It is located at the State Tretyakov Gallery.
The Vladimir Mother of God is one of the most expensive icons in Russia.
List of the most valuable icons of Russia
In addition to the famous icon-painting images that are in various museums and are available for public viewing, there are other ancient icons. They are auctioned and have a fairly high cost. Today you can purchase the following icon-painting images:
- Icon with the lamp "George the Victorious", 8.600.000 rubles.
- The temple icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, 8.400.000 rubles.
- The icon "Rejoices about you", 8.000.000 rubles.
- Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, 3.200.000 rubles.
- Icon painting of Dmitry Solunsky, 3.200.000 rubles.
- Icon Vladimir with life, 3.200.000 rubles.
- Icon of Sergius of Radonezh, 3.100.000 rubles.
- Seven-gun icon, 3.100.000 rubles.
- Icon with the life of St. George, 2.900.000 rubles.
- Four-part icon, 2.250.000 rubles.
- Kazan Icon, 2,100,000 rubles, etc.
In fact, this list is quite large. Here are considered only part of the most expensive icons. All of them are for sale. The purchase of such images is done by real connoisseurs of icon painting - collectors.
It is difficult to say which icon is the most expensive in the world and how much it costs today. So, one of the most valuable Orthodox icons is the image of "St. George with Life." It is stored in the Ukrainian National Art Museum, which is located in the city of Kiev. The estimated cost of this work of art is $ 2 million. Of course, "St. George with Life" is one of the most expensive icons in the world. But perhaps there are more valuable icon-painting images.
Antique Image Evaluation Criteria
Antiques are an old thing that has a high market value. An entire team of specialists with extensive experience in this field often works to evaluate antique icons. If a person is the owner of an old icon-painting image, he simply needs to know the market value of the item. Otherwise, when the icon is sold, the owner will receive a relatively lower amount. How to determine the age of the icon? This question is of interest to many collectors. Indeed, this aspect plays a decisive role in determining value.
Market value depends on several important factors:
- writing time, i.e. age;
- image author;
- the presence or absence of salary and precious stones;
- the size;
- the presence of marks on the back of the product;
- external condition;
- whether the product is subject to restoration.
Salaries were often used to decorate old icons. More valuable are the icons in a gold frame. Less commonly seen are gemstones. Icons in a silver setting are also quite expensive. There are times when a precious salary is more expensive than the icon painting itself.
In addition to all the above criteria, the plot of the image and the miraculous properties affect the cost.
The artistic value of the icon
Do not confuse the concepts of "artistic value" and "market value". Some people, when trying to find out the price of an icon, turn to online forums and send photos. The fact is that no specialist can determine the authenticity and value of an image without having a look at it with his own eyes. Many turn to churches and museums for help. Employees of these organizations will also not be able to help with the assessment. They will talk about the possible author, the plot of the image, technique and style of writing. The artistic value of the icon is its perception as an object of art, and not an antique object. A museum employee will determine the value of such an image as paintings. Of course, these parameters can affect the price, but only if they are interesting to the buyer.
The authenticity of the icon image
Before assessing the value of the icon, it is necessary to determine its authenticity. An ordinary fake is distinguished by any specialist. But to determine a quality copy, an examination will be needed. People have long learned to write antiquated images, taking certain tricks. The most difficult thing is with the definition of authenticity, when the old icon is completed by the hand of a younger master. In this case, an examination is carried out in the laboratory, using special equipment. They study the basis of the icon, the ground, possible interventions.
Features of vintage paints
An important factor is the study of paints. Antique icons of the 6th century that have come down to our time are painted with beeswax paints. In Russia, masters used tempera. This is a paint based on egg yolk. Such icon painting can be distinguished with the naked eye. Unlike oil images, tempera is more strict and sketchy.
Icon base
The best material for iconographic images has long been considered wood. In ancient Russia, masters used linden. The boards of this tree were considered the best foundation. Much less common are foundations from alder, spruce or cypress. Boards designed for icon painting were thoroughly dried and glued together. Knots and bumps were removed to avoid drying out. The most expensive icons have a base crafted with an ax. Their surface is uneven. Icons written in wood are valued much higher than on any other basis.
Starting from the 19th century, icon-painting images began to be mass produced. Factories and plants appeared. They began to use cheaper material for icon painting - thin tin sheets. On these icons, a factory mark was placed on the back. Almost every Russian family has preserved such images. Therefore, they have a lower antique value.
Definition of authorship
In ancient times, masters in the field of iconography were called isographers. It was believed that these people received their gift from God. They are chosen and worthy of their title. Until the beginning of the 18th century, isographers did not leave their signatures on iconographic images. It was believed that they were mediators of the Lord on earth. And it is the Lord who creates unique images with their hands.
Despite this circumstance, the names of several prominent icon painters have become known to modern humanity. These are Andrei Rublev, Feofan Grek, Gregory, Dionysius, Alipy, etc. The most expensive icons belong to the brush of these icon painters. Images of these isographs are unique and inimitable. They are stored in state museums and galleries. Anyone can see them. Moreover, according to the surviving chronicles, the Byzantine artist Feofan Grek painted several Russian churches. There are many icons of other, unknown authors. They are no less valuable.
Basically, experts determine authorship by technique and style of writing. Many icon painters signed the names of the icons or the name of the saint depicted on them. This factor plays a huge role in determining the author of the work.
The creators of the most expensive icons in the world have long been known to mankind. The cost of an antique image directly depends on the popularity of the icon painter.
Reasons to buy an icon prayed for centuries
Today, factory iconographic images can be bought at almost every step: church shops, specialty stores, various exhibitions. Moreover, in many cities, you can order individual icon manufacturing. The masters will take into account all the requirements: size, plot, writing technique, style, etc. But still for the believer it is important to say a prayer just before the old icon.
The Christian church says that the icon is the conductor of human prayers. An ancient icon that has existed for many centuries is a prayer item. Many generations of people offered her their prayers. Many ancient icons are transported to different parts of Russia so that people can follow them and pray for the most sacred.
The miraculous properties of antique icons are also an important factor. Mostly such images are in temples or museums. But there are many icons with miraculous properties, which are not known to the whole world.
These facts speak about the spiritual side of the icon-painting image. But there is another side - it is an artistic value. Many people seek to acquire an antique icon for precisely this reason. After all, each such image is unique. It is written in a single copy. A soul is invested in it.
How to sell an icon?
If it is necessary to sell a Christian icon to any believing Christian, doubts begin to torment him. The Orthodox father will help in this matter. The church does not prohibit the sale of icon-painting images. This action is not a sin.
If a person is deeply unbelieving, then the question is only in the presence of a buyer. For a profitable sale, it is better to contact proven antique stores. It is unlikely to be able to find a buyer on their own. Not every collector will want to deal with an unverified seller.
From all of the above, we can conclude that the antique icon is a special thing. It not only carries a deep spiritual meaning, but also has a high market value. A person with such a work of art must decide for himself: sell the icon or leave it at home and pass from generation to generation as a family heirloom.
Fortunately, in the Russian Federation there are more than 30 of the most expensive icons known today.