Saint Nicholas Byzantine Icon Value Guide

This Byzantine-style icon of Saint Nicholas of Myra is a modern lithographic reproduction on a gesso-prepared wooden panel, crafted in Greece between 1990 and 2010. It serves as a 'window into heaven,' replicating a 16th-century Greek prototype of the 4th-century bishop whose legacy of secret gift-giving inspired the Santa Claus legend.

What Is Saint Nicholas Byzantine Icon Worth?

The typical price range for Saint Nicholas Byzantine Icon is $45 - $50 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 wooden panel, specifically looking for any warping or splitting of the timber.
• The integrity of the lithograph surface, as scratches or peeling in the print significantly reduce the $45-$50 market value.
• Presence of original Greek workshop markings or certificates of authenticity often attached to the back.
• The quality of the gesso application and the gold-tone leafing used in the halo and background areas.

How to Identify Saint Nicholas Byzantine Icon?

• Look for the 'Made in Greece' label or stamp on the reverse side of the wooden panel.
• Inspect the surface for the characteristic texture of a lithograph print applied over a gesso base rather than hand-painted egg tempera.
• Identify the specific 16th-century Greek compositional style featuring Saint Nicholas in traditional episcopal vestments.
• Check for a protective varnish layer that gives the modern print a traditional aged sheen.

History of Saint Nicholas Byzantine Icon

Saint Nicholas was a 4th-century bishop from Myra, known for his secret gift-giving, which eventually evolved into the legend of Santa Claus. Icons like this are central to Eastern Orthodox worship, serving as 'windows into heaven' rather than just decorative art. This specific composition is a common 20th-century reproduction of a much older 16th-century Greek prototype.