The rating icons in silver. Assessment of ancient icons photo

The Old Orthodox icons are of great interest to collectors worldwide. It is not only the object of aesthetic and spiritual enjoyment. Old icons are a win-win investment. As a special kind of antique, these are highly appreciated in the market, and their cost increases every year.

What are the icons

Evaluation of icons is based on several criteria. The first is the attribution of work. Is determined by the time of the writing of the image, its territorial origin and, if possible, authorship. In the latter case, with the icon set is very difficult. Since most of the images were created by anonymous artists, most often it is possible to speak only about a particular workshop or school.

Also, the old icons rating takes into account the safety of the subject, size, salary, the presence of additional markers in the form of samples of stamps, and labels that are not related to the iconographic Canon. Considered technology execution and material, particularly the use of precious stones and metals.

What you can learn about the icon photo?

The Layman to determine the value and cost of sacral subject difficult. It is best to consult the experts and get their professional opinion. Assessment of ancient icons at the pictures – this is a great alternative for owners to obtain a preliminary expert opinion without exposing the rare monument of the risks of transportation. When referring to the specialists so you can find out the degree of artistic or historical value of the work and its approximate market value. But do not forget that the final expert opinion can be given only on the basis of a detailed study of the original.

Value and value

Many lovers of Antiques confusing concepts such as artistic or historical value and market value of works of art. Rating icons for sale, of course, takes into account its artistic or historical significance. However, this is not the only criterion that will determine its ultimate value on the Antiques market.

What is the market price of the icon

The art Market dictates the rules in the formation of prices for Antiques. Evaluation of icons as works of art and as an object of sale is two different kinds of evaluation. There are situations when work is of high artistic level goes for just pennies, while not of particular interest from the point of view of the art piece is sold for astonishing amounts of cash.

The Market value of the icon is composed of many factors. Artistic value – only one of them, and not always decisive. So, the price of the icon is influenced by such factors as age, level of skill (artistic value), size, condition, quality of restoration, the presence of salary and material, and also accessory icons. The last – an important factor that directly affects the cost.

From the point of view of the market, icons, once owned by famous personalities, famous monasteries, reported in the literature and manifested in major historical events are valued higher than those that were kept in ordinary families was the Church or parish property.

Often it is the membership of icons, her personal history, are the decisive criterion in assessing the value.

If you need restoration

Assessment and restoration of icons produced after agreeing all the nuances with the customer. There are several types of restoration work. They differ in their objectives and degree of intervention in the status of the original.

Most Often produced the so-called antique or commercial renovations. Its purpose – return to its original appearance. In this case, work on the restoration affects all layers of the icon. Recover lost of the foundations, cleared and complemented by colorful layer, poevljaetsa gilding. It all fixed protective coating.

After the commercial restoration at the output, the icon turns “new”. This kind of restoration work is extremely popular because it restored so the icon increases in price. However, inept restoration, technological errors, unjustified interference with paint layer or primer can greatly reduce the cost.

Unlike commercial restoration, Museum, on the contrary, aimed at the preservation and conservation of the monument in the form in which it is located. Its purpose – stop the destruction and preserve the original state of the icon. In this case, the restoration works involve the strengthening of boards, tinted gesso, a partial restoration of the paint layer, where possible, and the subsequent preservation of the image. Rarely restorers intervene in the basic layers, trying not to touch them unnecessarily.

The Museum's restoration applies to the most valuable works of art of high artistic and historical significance.

Icons and salary

Icons 18 – 19th centuries in the massive salaries of precious metals today represent great value. Many of them are rare and worth money. Often salaries are a product of decorative art and collectibles.

The Rating icons in a silver frame is based on the same criteria as without it. The presence of base salary, generally increases the cost of the icon. However, his presence does not automatically make any icon expensive, even if the salary is made of silver.

Often when the examination is distinguished as a different category - the cost of the icon and the cost of the salary. At equal values of the two icons for the rest of the criteria, the more expensive will be the one which preserved the salary and, of course, the Riza of silver will raise the price, but not necessarily much higher. However, there is another option when the icon is unremarkable in quality, and its price is mostly only the cost of the salary of the expensive metal.