Vladimir Mother of God Icon Value Guide

This Vladimir Mother of God icon is a contemporary Greek devotional piece produced between 1990 and 2010, featuring the iconic 'Tender Mercy' pose where the Christ Child presses His cheek to Mary's. While a modern reproduction, it carries the deep spiritual legacy of the 12th-century Byzantine original, which is celebrated as a miraculous protector of the Orthodox world.

What affects the value of Vladimir Mother of God Icon?

• Condition of the gold foil, as peeling or oxidation can decrease the decorative value.
• The presence of original Greek workshop stickers or certificates of authenticity on the back.
• The physical state of the wood, specifically looking for warping or chips in the edges of the plaque.
• Clarity of the printed image, ensuring there is no fading from UV exposure or moisture damage.

How to Identify Vladimir Mother of God Icon?

• Look for the 'Made in Greece' label or stamp on the reverse side of the wooden plaque.
• Identify the Eleusa iconography style, specifically noting the Christ Child's arm around the Virgin's neck and their touching cheeks.
• Check for the use of gold foil highlights applied over the printed paper image to simulate traditional gilding.
• Verify the construction as a printed image mounted onto a solid wood base rather than a hand-painted egg tempera panel.

History of Vladimir Mother of God Icon

This specific iconography is known as the Eleusa or Tender Mercy type, where the Christ Child presses his cheek against his mother's. The original Vladimir Mother of God is a 12th-century Byzantine icon and is one of the most venerated religious images in the Orthodox world, credited with saving Moscow from invaders multiple times.