Silver, gilding and pearls — Theodore Icon of the Mother of God with a precious salary at the Violity auction (Photo)

The icon of the Mother of God with the upcoming saints Cosmas and Domian was sold about a week ago at the online auction Violity. The final cost of the lot after 287 bids was 199 600 UAH. In addition to the artistic value of the icon, attention from users was attracted by its precious salary.

Silver, gilding and pearls were used as materials decorating the surface of the lot “Icon of B. M. Feodorovskaya Three-Handed”. The salary covers the entire surface of the icon board on top of the paint layer. Only some elements remained open — face and hands, is noted on the auction website.

The salary or robe was never perceived as something separate from the icon — it was always a “salary image”. If the original decoration was removed and changed to taken from another icon, then it was called "salary in the selection." Sometimes the salary was gradually increased: separate parts were added, worn elements were replaced with new ones. Finishing with rich details was sometimes preceded by some significant events.

Speaking about the materials used for salaries, it is worth mentioning metals — gold, silver, brass, copper; beads or pearls; enamel, gems, colored glass or other overhead parts. On the reverse side of the icon, sometimes upholstered in red or raspberry velvet.

Throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, icons were treated exclusively as cult objects. But with the beginning of the 20th century, icon painting took a significant place in the history of culture, which has survived to the present day.

Previously reported the sale of ancient panagia — a small icon with image of the Virgin. The sign of bishop's dignity was bought at the Violity online auction for 66 850 UAH. It is made of cypress and ebony, additionally decorated with a salary of silver with gilding.