Russian Icons

Being an emblematic and distinctive part of Russian culture, Russian icons are unique monuments of ancient painting tradition that traces its roots back to the year 988, a period of Kievan Rus’ conversion to Orthodox Christianity. The technique of painting the Russian icon takes its origin from the golden age of Byzantine art and continues that style to this day. It’s interesting that the prototypic images of saints and feast days seen in the Russian icons have remained almost unchanged throughout the centuries. The fact is that Orthodox religion claims that antique Russian icons were directly inspired by God. Iconographers fasted and prayed before painting Russian Orthodox icons and never signed their works. It is also believed that some of the icons were delivered and even painted by saints themselves. Authentic Russian icons are still created solely for religious veneration by the morally upright artisans blessed for this purpose by a priest. Therefore, Russian icons represent the most significant form of Russian religious art, not to mention that theologically they are considered sacred. Russian Orthodox Church icons inspire a quiet meditation toward the quest for spiritual growth, truth, and understanding. Today, they are known all over the world not only for their distinctive style of painting, but also for their influence on the Eastern cultural development. They have a religious and very high antique-artistic value, especially antique Russian icons of museum quality, which possess unique significance and importance in the contemporary world of art.

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Russian Icons

Being an emblematic and distinctive part of Russian culture, Russian icons are unique monuments of ancient painting tradition that traces its roots back to the year 988, a period of Kievan Rus’ conversion to Orthodox Christianity.

The technique of painting the Russian icon takes its origin from the golden age of Byzantine art and continues that style to this day. It’s interesting that the prototypic images of saints and feast days seen in the Russian icons have remained almost unchanged throughout the centuries. The fact is that Orthodox religion claims that antique Russian icons were directly inspired by God. Iconographers fasted and prayed before painting Russian Orthodox icons and never signed their works. It is also believed that some of the icons were delivered and even painted by saints themselves. Authentic Russian icons are still created solely for religious veneration by the morally upright artisans blessed for this purpose by a priest. Therefore, Russian icons represent the most significant form of Russian religious art, not to mention that theologically they are considered sacred. Russian Orthodox Church icons inspire a quiet meditation toward the quest for spiritual growth, truth, and understanding. Today, they are known all over the world not only for their distinctive style of painting, but also for their influence on the Eastern cultural development. They have a religious and very high antique-artistic value, especially antique Russian icons of museum quality, which possess unique significance and importance in the contemporary world of art.

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Why Us?

The answer is rather simple: customer satisfaction is our top priority! When dealing with us, you are guaranteed to receive highly qualified personal consultation, exceptional degree of security, and professional services provided by only reliable Eastern Orthodox icon experts, restorers, and appraisers. The best confirmation of this is our fantastic collection of very rare religious icons of museum quality, in particular authentic antique Russian icons of the 16th – 19th centuries. Being engaged in this business for 25+ years, we are aware of our huge responsibility toward our partners, customers, and unique Church icons, and, therefore, take each of them very seriously to ensure the highest level of security. Top-notch services provided in a distinctly client-oriented manner are what you may expect from Russian Icon! Our professional team of Eastern Orthodox icon experts will help you enhance your collection, take care of the necessary preservation and restoration, provide you with an honest appraisal of any antique icon you have, offer advice on proper storage and exhibition conditions, organize any type of the local or international shipment, provide any necessary export papers you require, and assist you with all other things concerning holy icons and religious artifacts. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions, wishes, or problems you have. We will be happy to explain our services and give you information about museum-quality Russian religious icons in detail during a personal consultation. We are always ready to share our knowledge and experience with you!

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Why Us?

The answer is rather simple: customer satisfaction is our top priority! When dealing with us, you are guaranteed to receive highly qualified personal consultation, exceptional degree of security, and professional services provided by only reliable Eastern Orthodox icon experts, restorers, and appraisers.

The best confirmation of this is our fantastic collection of very rare religious icons of museum quality, in particular authentic antique Russian icons of the 16th – 19th centuries. Being engaged in this business for 25+ years, we are aware of our huge responsibility toward our partners, customers, and unique Church icons, and, therefore, take each of them very seriously to ensure the highest level of security. Top-notch services provided in a distinctly client-oriented manner are what you may expect from Russian Icon! Our professional team of Eastern Orthodox icon experts will help you enhance your collection, take care of the necessary preservation and restoration, provide you with an honest appraisal of any antique icon you have, offer advice on proper storage and exhibition conditions, organize any type of the local or international shipment, provide any necessary export papers you require, and assist you with all other things concerning holy icons and religious artifacts. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions, wishes, or problems you have. We will be happy to explain our services and give you information about museum-quality Russian religious icons in detail during a personal consultation. We are always ready to share our knowledge and experience with you!

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Icons Collection

The Resurrection – The Harrowing of Hades, with the Holy Trinity and the Church Feasts

The Resurrection – The Harrowing of Hades, with the Holy Trinity and…

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The Iconostasis (“The Image of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church”)

The Iconostasis (“The Image of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church”)…

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The Tikhvin Mother of God, with the Legend of the Icon in 16 border scenes

The Tikhvin Mother of God, with the Legend of the Icon in…

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John the Baptist – the Angel of the Desert, with 12 hagiographical border scenes

John the Baptist – the Angel of the Desert, with 12 hagiographical…

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Saint Sergius of Radonezh, with 16 hagiographical border scenes, in a silver oklad cover

Saint Sergius of Radonezh, with 16 hagiographical border scenes, in a silver…

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The Resurrection – The Harrowing of Hades, with the Church Feasts and the Four Evangelists

The Resurrection – The Harrowing of Hades, with the Church Feasts and…

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The Resurrection of Christ, with Church Feasts

The Resurrection of Christ, with Church Feasts in 12 border scenes Antique…

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The Crucifixion, with the Passions of Christ and selected Church Feasts

The Crucifixion, with the Passions of Christ and selected Church Feasts Antique…

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The Resurrection – The Harrowing of Hades, with Church Feasts, Pentecost, the Pokrov, the Beheading…

The Resurrection – The Harrowing of Hades, with Church Feasts in 12…

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The Resurrection – The Harrowing of Hades, with the Monogenis, the Church Feasts, and the…

The Resurrection – The Harrowing of Hades, with the Monogenis, the Church…

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About Us

Founded by Oleg Kushnirskiy, Russian Icon is one of the leading online galleries of antique Russian icons. It represents the most accurate compilation of all the knowledge and expertise gained from many years of collecting and selling rare and famous religious icons of museum quality. Initially created to preserve this sacred form of art and to display the true masterpieces of Eastern Orthodox iconography, Russian Icon has become a reliable place where everyone can enjoy and sell authentic antique icons and religious artifacts, as well as order professional restoration, advisory, management, and appraisal services provided by the most qualified experts in the field.

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Saint Nicholas