Our Lady of Perpetual Help Icon Value Guide

This antique Italian icon from the late 19th to early 20th century represents the widespread devotion sparked after Pope Pius IX entrusted the original image to the Redemptorists in 1866. It is a highly collectible example of religious lithography, featuring the classic Byzantine composition of the Virgin Mary comforting the Christ Child as he views the instruments of the Passion.

What Is Our Lady of Perpetual Help Icon Worth?

The typical price range for Our Lady of Perpetual Help Icon is $180 - $220 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The physical condition of the gilt wood frame and the level of preservation of the paper image, specifically looking for water damage or fading.
• The provenance and era, with pieces dating closer to the 1866 Redemptorist commission generally commanding higher interest.
• The quality of the lithographic printing and the richness of the gold leaf or gilt accents used in the halo and background.
• Market demand for late 19th-century Italian devotional art, which typically prices this specific model between $180 and $220.

How to Identify Our Lady of Perpetual Help Icon?

• Check for the specific Italian origin and era-appropriate materials like aged gilt wood and heavy paper stock from 1880-1920.
• Look for the presence of two angels, Archangels Michael and Gabriel, flanking the Virgin Mary and holding the cross and spear.
• Verify the Byzantine style elements, including the Greek abbreviations for 'Mother of God' and the characteristic 'falling sandal' on the Christ Child's foot.
• Inspect the frame for authentic late-Victorian or early-Edwardian craftsmanship, which often features ornate gilding consistent with Italian religious exports.

History of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Icon

The Our Lady of Perpetual Help icon is a revered Byzantine icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary, dating back to the 13th or 14th century. It is believed to have originated in Crete and was brought to Rome in the late 15th century. The icon depicts the Virgin Mary holding the child Jesus, who is recoiling from the instruments of the Passion held by two angels. This particular image became widely popular after it was entrusted to the Redemptorists by Pope Pius IX in 1866, who were tasked with promoting devotion to Our Lady under this title. Copies and reproductions, like this one, became common in Catholic homes and churches worldwide, serving as a powerful symbol of hope and divine intercession.