Many of the older generation recall from childhood a cozy grandmother's house, where, after waking up, you could always smell the delicious cakes, hear the ticking of walkers and see the strict splendor of the Red Corner. The icons of the saints were addressed with prayers for help, in illnesses and sorrows. As a rule, in every house there was an icon of the Lord the Savior, the image of the Virgin, and the face of Nicholas the Wonderworker beloved among the people. In addition to the usual images, many had a tricuspid fold, where all these icons were nearby. Also in the Red corner in many houses there were candles or a lamp, copper crucifixes, bronze warehouses. All this attracted and fascinated, prompted us to turn to the Lord with prayer.
Icons
The most visible embodiment of the Orthodox faith is an image, an icon. Accompanied by it, a person lives life from birth until his last hour. There are dozens of different icons in the temples, they are everywhere: on the walls, in the iconostasis, on the lectern. Icons are involved in religious processions and in worship. The most revered among believers are images that are famous for their miracles. People turn to them with the most secret, cherished desires. They are called miraculous.
In our world, the traditions of Orthodoxy began to revive. Red corners appear in many homes. You can see them in hospitals, offices, military units. Miniature icons often accompany drivers, travelers on the road. Convenient in such cases, the tricuspid fold. The images are blessed by the parents of their children on the road, to the service, to the wedding. At the same time, they hope for the support of heavenly patrons. No matter what kind of activity a person is engaged in, no matter where he is, he feels calmer with an icon next to him. At any time, you can turn with a prayer, ask for help from the Lord, the Virgin, all saints and angels.
The word "icon" comes from the Greek "image". Each has its own purpose, written in accordance with church canons.
Foldable Shapes
What is a fold? Represents several small icons that are interconnected by loops. A fold can consist of two icons - these are double-winged diptychs, of three icons - a triptych icon, if there are much more icons, then such a fold is already called a polyptych.
First of all, the folds are intended for those who are somewhere outside the house, the church - on travel, in the service, in the hospital, on a business trip. Folding takes up little space, so it is convenient to always have it with you. At any time, you can build a small icon corner where you will have the opportunity to pray. The most common and revered images that are included in the triptych are the image of the Mother of God, Jesus Christ, Nicholas the Wonderworker, and Panteleimon the healer. There are folds where the images of the Mother of God are collected the most miraculous and especially revered.
In Russia, the most common and favorite is the triptych, the middle part of which is closed by sashes. They remind the royal gates, which by tradition were part of the Christian iconostasis. In the middle of the triptych was the Savior on the Throne, on the right - the Mother of God, on the left - Nikolai Ugodnik. Such miniature folds were carried with them on garters or stored in luggage. Ancient warehouses were made of copper, bronze, wood (Karelian birch, linden, cypress), covered with enamel, bone, decorated with jewelry.
Vintage Folding Icons
Since ancient times, the tricuspid fold has been popular among Christians, the variety of species of which is huge: pectoral, iconic, and breast.
The ancient folds were called travel icons. On a long journey, the Orthodox necessarily took them with them. Many icons were called hiking. Each warrior, without exception, in Russia from the 18th century on the chest in the form of a fold kept holy images. Before a difficult battle, a battle, the soldiers worshiped them, asking for protection from the Lord.
The most ancient castles are considered to be cast triptychs, which in the 10th century were brought to Rust from Byzantium. Already in the 19th century, whole iconostases and large holy churches were replaced by cast-in warehouses.
The manufacturing process of the folding was very delicate, painstaking, so a small amount has survived to this day, and they are considered very rare and valuable.
Folding bronze icon
A real work of art can be called an ancient bronze fold. The mold was made by a caster using a casting sample. Loops of various designs connected the tricuspid fold. Then the master carver set to work. The apparent simplicity of the work here is deceiving, because no one has been able to reproduce the work of masters of the XIX century so far.
Each folding fold is a separate work, an icon, sometimes even a small iconostasis. For example, the triptych of the Deesis is three icons that are written in canonical order. The fold of the twelfth holidays brought together 12 icons, the main church holidays of Christians are depicted here. In the 19th century, such an iconostasis was not only placed in the Red Corner, but was carried everywhere with it. Especially beautiful are the old folds, which were decorated with enamels. The master on the cast fold applied a lot of enamel colors. Of course, the price of such a folding will be much higher than the bronze, one-color, without enamel.
Copper folds
The copper folding icon is a whole page in religious history. Such icons were made in copper foundries. The most valuable is the Vyga copper plastic. However, there were masters of their craft in other foundry corners in Russia. Orthodox folds had a variety of sizes. For example, "Holidays" is a heavy, large item, and the vestiges were small. Due to their lightness and miniature size, they easily fit in a hiking bag, some could even be hung on the neck next to a cross, on top of the fold was an eyelet for a rope.
Modern collectors, and believers appreciate the plasticity of antiquity. It causes increased interest. Some seek to create an entire exhibition at home, where the ancient triptych icon occupies a central place. Of course, all these objects of religious worship are very much appreciated for the fact that the icons have been prayed for centuries and have a special power.
Antique copper warehouses are now not often found, and therefore they very quickly find new owners. Lovers of antiquity do not cease to be amazed at the delicate work of masters, their work remains eternal.
Value of icons
All old warehouses have their own destiny, the way. Icons can change externally, enlighten, darken, change colors without any human intervention. Images travel the world, pass from one hand to another, from one family to another, from generation to generation. It happens that the icon is acquired in a miraculous way, granted by the Lord himself.
The most valuable icons are inherited. All family power is concentrated in them. All prayers that were said with a warm heart, faith will give strength to the next generation. Such icons are called prayed. They give strength in sorrows, console, strengthen in spirit and faith, inspire new things. That is why it is very important to leave a legacy to your loved ones. Well, of course, if such an icon is not a makeshift work, but a workshop painted on a blackboard with paints. She will remain for many years to your entire family.
Restoration
The old wooden icons, stored for a long time, become dull, the appearance is spoiled, and even the holy image is gradually erased. Time does its job. The colors fade, begin to crumble, because the icons most often undergo temperature changes, next to them often light candles. It also happens that wax gets on the image. One way or another, over time, the icons require restoration.
Any icon can be betrayed by its original, beautiful appearance, this opportunity is provided by experienced, professional restorers.
Each restoration work has several stages. First, the master must delve into the composition of the picture. Sometimes the inscriptions are worn away, fragments of images fade and actually disappear. If the face is lost, it is necessary to establish exactly which saint is depicted, to select the canons in accordance with the style. Thus, it is possible to reproduce the original appearance.
Next, the master very carefully removes the crumbling coating. In this case, the image details must be preserved. Before this stage, the icons are photographed from a variety of angles in order to accurately capture the original appearance.
Finally, the master makes a solid foundation. It allows you to hold on to new paint for a very long time. This painstaking work after a while allows you to get an attractive, new icon.
Quality restoration - what is it?
Masters of tempera painting have long been famous in Russia. Now the restoration of the icons consists precisely in restoring the tempera. The master must have all the subtleties of icon painting, have experience in restoration. It is also necessary to remember that the icon is not just a picture, but the spiritual principle of the believer, a valuable image.
Before starting the restoration, the master must understand the icon-painting technology that was used, the processes and the sequence of actions. To restore the tempera, traditional methods that have been worked out for centuries are used, natural materials are used. However, some flaws make it possible to correct modern technologies, secret tricks that every individual restorer owns.
What's under the paint?
If restoration of old icons is carried out, then under the layers of top paints the master can detect multiple corrections, attempts at restoration of other masters. Often, restoration is required for images due to the fact that the top layer of drying oil darkens, requires updating. If the icon was not properly looked after, over time the face can not be distinguished. Recovery could be made repeatedly and not always with high quality. So the original image may even differ from the last image.
Price of restoration
Modern restoration includes: strengthening the layer of paint and gesso, cleaning the surface, gilding nimbuses, strengthening cracks, tinting and conservation. Before taking an antique icon for restoration, the master carefully examines it and tells the client about all the shortcomings, about how they will be eliminated. After that, the cost of work is discussed. Prices in all workshops are different. But, you must remember that subtle, painstaking work can not be cheap. The recovery process is long, complicated, requires expensive materials, experience and knowledge of the restorer.