Ancient Orthodox icons representa huge interest for collectors all over the world. This is not only a matter of aesthetic and spiritual pleasure. Antique icons are a win-win investment. As a special kind of antiques, they are highly valued in the market, and their cost increases every year.
The evaluation of icons is based on several criteria.First of all, the work is attributed. Determines the time of writing the image, its territorial origin and, if possible, authorship. The latter is very difficult to establish in the case of iconography. Since most images were created by anonymous masters, it is often possible to speak only about a particular workshop or school.
Also, the evaluation of ancient icons takes into account the safetysubject, size, availability of salary, the presence of additional marks in the form of samples, stamps, inscriptions, not related to the iconographic canon. Technology of execution and material, in particular, the use of precious stones and metals, are taken into account.
To the non-specialist to determine the value himselfand the cost of a sacred object is difficult. It is best to contact experts and get their professional opinion. Evaluation of old icons on the photo is an excellent alternative for owners to obtain a preliminary expert opinion without exposing a rare monument to the risks of transportation. When referring to specialists in this way, you can find out the degree of artistic or historical value of the work and its approximate market value. However, do not forget that the expert can give a final opinion only on the basis of a detailed study of the original.
Many lovers of antiquity confuse such concepts asartistic or historical value and the market value of the work of art. Assessment of icons for sale, of course, takes into account its artistic or historical significance. However, this is not the only criterion that will determine its final value in the antiques market.
The art market dictates its own ruleswhen forming the price of antiquarian things. Evaluation of icons as a work of art and as a subject of sale and purchase are two different types of evaluation. It is not uncommon for a situation where the work of a high artistic level goes literally for a penny, while a small thing that does not represent a particular interest from the point of view of art is sold for fabulous money.
The market value of the icon consists ofmany factors. Artistic value is only one of them, and not always determining. So, the price of the icon is influenced by such factors as age, skill level (artistic value), size, condition, quality of restoration, the availability of salary and its material, and also the icon's membership. The latter is an important factor that directly affects the cost.
From a market point of view, icons that belonged toonce famous personalities, famous monasteries, noted in literature and manifested in significant historical events, are valued higher than those that were kept in simple families or were parish church property.
Often it is the belonging of the icon, its personal history, which is the determining criterion in the valuation of value.
Evaluation and restoration of icons is made aftercoordination of all nuances with the customer. There are several types of restoration work. They differ in their tasks and degree of intervention in the state of the original.
Most often, the so-calledantique or commercial restoration. Its purpose is to return to the object its original appearance. In this case, the restoration work affects all layers of the icon. The lost parts of the base are restored, the paint layer is cleaned and supplemented, the gilding is renewed. All this is fixed with a protective coating.
After a commercial restoration at the exit of the iconit turns out "as new". This type of restoration work is extremely popular, as the icon thus restored increases in price. However, inept restoration, technological mistakes, unjustified interference in the paint layer or gesso can significantly reduce the cost.
In contrast to commercial restoration, museum,on the contrary, is aimed at preserving and preserving the monument in the form in which it is located. Its goal is to stop the destruction and preserve the original state of the icon. In this case, the restoration work involves strengthening the board, tinting the gesso, partial restoration of the picturesque layer, where possible, and the subsequent preservation of the image. Very rarely restorers interfere in the layers of the stem, trying not to touch them unnecessarily.
Museum restoration is applied to particularly valuable works of art, high artistic and historical significance.
Icons 18 - 19 centuries in massive salaries ofexpensive metals are of great value today. Many of them are rare and cost a lot of money. Often the salaries themselves are a work of arts and crafts and a collectible.
The evaluation of icons in a silver salary is made bythe same criteria as without it. The presence of a salary, as a rule, raises the cost of an icon. However, its very presence does not automatically make any icon expensive, even if the salary is made of silver.
Often during the examination, both the differentcategory - the cost of icons and the cost of salary. With an equal value for the two icons according to the other criteria, the one that preserves the salary is more expensive and, naturally, the price of silver will rise, but not necessarily much higher. However, another option is possible, when the icon is not remarkable for its qualities, and its price is basically only the cost of a salary from expensive metal.
