What makes Orthodox icons the most expensive art

What makes Orthodox icons the most expensive art

Ancient religious icons are becoming increasingly popular and important collectibles. Regular auctions of these unique and special items attract both novice and experienced collectors. If you look at the sale of Orthodox icons over the past five to ten years, you will be surprised at how high their price is. It is no secret that religious icons are considered works of art of high value. So, for example, the Pochaiv Icon of the Mother of God is considered the most valuable and revered icon of the Orthodox Church. This masterpiece of religious icon painting is a real treasure that has survived the ages, and now it can be seen and admired by both Orthodox believers and connoisseurs of fine art. However, many would argue that the cost of icons is justified, as the price can range from hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars. So, let's try to understand the essence of the matter and find out what makes Orthodox icons such attractive investments.

Machinery

Real icons are painted by hand, which involves a meticulous and painstaking process that can take days, weeks, or even months. This technique is usually difficult to master, so you won't find many people who have mastered it.

Habit

Another factor is the rarity of icon painting as a craft. Of course, it is not on the verge of disappearing, but still only a few artists enter specialized schools or work under the patronage of real masters.

Materials

You can't paint an icon on a random piece of wood with random paint. When choosing materials, there are strict rules, due to which the price of icons increases even more.

Age

The older the icons, the more expensive they are. Do not forget that they belong to the category of religious artifacts. This is by far the most popular reason why so many collectors hunt for every antique piece.

Prestige

After all, being the owner of some rare icons is a huge prestige. All the listed features really make Orthodox icons a very valuable attribution.

For a novice collector, understanding the value of an icon can be confusing. It is better to start small. Better to make a $300 mistake than a $30,000 mistake. Give yourself time to find your own taste, explore the world of icons, study the history and understand the value of the icon using the listed criteria.

What makes Orthodox icons the most expensive art

Ancient religious icons are becoming increasingly popular and important collectibles. Regular auctions of these unique and special items attract both novice and experienced collectors. If you look at the sale of Orthodox icons over the past five to ten years, you will be surprised at how high their price is. It is no secret that religious icons are considered works of art of high value. So, for example, the Pochaiv Icon of the Mother of God is considered the most valuable and revered icon of the Orthodox Church. This masterpiece of religious icon painting is a real treasure that has survived the ages, and now it can be seen and admired by both Orthodox believers and connoisseurs of fine art. However, many would argue that the cost of icons is justified, as the price can range from hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars. So, let's try to understand the essence of the matter and find out what makes Orthodox icons such attractive investments.

Machinery

Real icons are painted by hand, which involves a meticulous and painstaking process that can take days, weeks, or even months. This technique is usually difficult to master, so you won't find many people who have mastered it.

Habit

Another factor is the rarity of icon painting as a craft. Of course, it is not on the verge of disappearing, but still only a few artists enter specialized schools or work under the patronage of real masters.

Materials

You can't paint an icon on a random piece of wood with random paint. When choosing materials, there are strict rules, due to which the price of icons increases even more.

Age

The older the icons, the more expensive they are. Do not forget that they belong to the category of religious artifacts. This is by far the most popular reason why so many collectors hunt for every antique piece.

Prestige

After all, being the owner of some rare icons is a huge prestige. All the listed features really make Orthodox icons a very valuable attribution.

For a novice collector, understanding the value of an icon can be confusing. It is better to start small. Better to make a $300 mistake than a $30,000 mistake. Give yourself time to find your own taste, explore the world of icons, study the history and understand the value of the icon using the listed criteria.