Entry into Jerusalem Icon Value Guide

This 19th-century Greek Orthodox icon captures the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on a donkey, a pivotal Palm Sunday event marking the start of Holy Week. Crafted between 1800 and 1850, it serves as a sophisticated example of Greek tempera technique and devotional artistry from the late Ottoman period.

What affects the value of Entry into Jerusalem Icon?

• The preservation of the gold leaf and the vibrancy of the tempera pigments.
• The physical condition of the wooden panel, including any warping or historical pest damage.
• The level of detail in the crowd figures and the architectural rendering of Jerusalem.
• Market demand for Greek liturgical art from the 1800-1850 era.

How to Identify Entry into Jerusalem Icon?

• Look for the traditional Greek style of tempera painting on a solid wood panel base.
• Verify the presence of authentic gold leaf used for halos and celestial highlights.
• Identify the specific iconography of Jesus on a donkey greeted by crowds with palm branches.
• Check for natural age-related craquelure and wear consistent with early 19th-century Greek origins.

History of Entry into Jerusalem Icon

This icon depicts the pivotal New Testament event of Jesus' Entry into Jerusalem, celebrated annually on Palm Sunday. This moment marked the beginning of Holy Week, as crowds greeted Jesus with palm branches, recognizing him as the Messiah. Icons like this serve as windows to the divine, used for veneration and contemplation in Orthodox Christian traditions for centuries.