Armenian Orthodox Icon of Virgin Mary
Price range: $700 through $2250
Armenian Orthodox Icon of Virgin Mary is a rare Hodegetria image with a dark blue maforion, red lining, floral fibula, and Christ Child holding a closed Gospel.
Available sizes: 17×21 cm (6.7×8.3 in), 20×24 cm (7.9×9.4 in), 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in), 30×40 cm (11.8×15.7 in). Enamel margins, 23K gold leaf (960 purity) kovcheg, hand-chased ornament, and egg tempera. Free international shipping, with payment after delivery.
It is possible to paint an image in any size to order
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Armenian Orthodox Icon of Virgin Mary is a rare hand-painted image of the Mother of God, marked by an Eastern Christian color language and details unusual for stricter Russian icon painting. The image combines Orthodox canon, warm facial expression, a dark blue maforion with red lining, and a large floral clasp on the chest of the Theotokos.
This icon is not treated here as an ordinary variation of a familiar Marian type. Its value is in the meeting of Christian traditions: the restraint of Orthodox iconography, the tenderness of the faces, and the decorative richness of enamel, gold, and chased ornament.
History and Eastern Christian Character
The exact origin of the prototype is not firmly documented. Tradition connects the Armenian icon of the Mother of God with ancient Christian communities of the Caucasus and Asia Minor, where Armenian, Byzantine, and local Christian artistic languages touched one another.
In Russia, such images were especially meaningful in regions where Russian and Caucasian Christian traditions met. The icon came to be seen as a sign that the Mother of God protects sincere Christians beyond national borders, languages, and local customs.
Hodegetria: The Mother Who Shows the Way
The icon belongs to the Hodegetria type, the Mother of God as She Who Shows the Way. In this type, the Theotokos directs attention to Christ, revealing Him as the true path to salvation.
Christ Child sits on the arm of His Mother and blesses the faithful. In His left hand He holds a closed Gospel book with a cross. His gaze turns upward toward the Theotokos, giving the composition a quiet and moving tenderness.
Dark Blue Maforion and Floral Fibula
One of the most distinctive features is the garment of the Mother of God. Instead of the more familiar deep red or cherry maforion, she is shown in a dark blue mantle with a bright red lining. The blue emphasizes heavenly purity, while the red lining points to royal dignity.
At her chest, the maforion is fastened with a large decorative fibula in the form of a flower. This detail recalls Eastern and Byzantine court dress and gives the icon its unmistakable visual character.
Enamel Margins and Chased Gold Kovcheg
The margins are decorated with a floral ornament made by hand in multicolored cold enamel: deep burgundy, green, blue, and white tones over gold. This gives the icon a festive Eastern color and the feeling of a precious sacred object.
The inner kovcheg is covered with 23K gold leaf (960 purity) and worked with fine hand-chased plant relief. The gold surface catches light softly, while the relief separates the holy image from the surrounding space in a traditional icon-board structure.
Gold Assist and Sacred Detail
The borders of the garments and the halos are enriched with gold dots and fine gold lines. This gold assist suggests precious embroidery and divine light, without distracting from the faces of the Theotokos and Christ.
The result is a richly decorated but still prayerful icon: a rare Mother of God image with a strong sense of protection, guidance, and spiritual warmth.
What People Pray For Before This Icon
As a Hodegetria image, this icon is especially close to prayer for guidance, travel, relocation, and all moments when a person feels far from home or uncertain about the road ahead.
Orthodox Christians also pray before it for peace, reconciliation, protection from hostility, family well-being, help in raising children, healing, and the quieting of anxiety.
Icon Characteristics
| Name | Armenian Orthodox Icon of Virgin Mary |
| Iconographic type | Hodegetria, the Mother of God as She Who Shows the Way |
| Distinctive features | Dark blue maforion with red lining, large floral fibula, Christ Child with closed Gospel |
| Available sizes | 17×21 cm (6.7×8.3 in), 20×24 cm (7.9×9.4 in), 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in), 30×40 cm (11.8×15.7 in) |
| Margins | Multicolored cold enamel floral ornament over gold |
| Kovcheg | 23K gold leaf (960 purity) with hand-chased plant relief |
| Painting | Hand-painted egg tempera with natural mineral pigments |
| Board | Solid linden board with linen, chalk gesso, and inserted oak splines |
| Gold detail | Gold assist on garment borders and halos |
| Purpose | Exclusive gift, wedding icon, family relic, home iconostasis, prayer for guidance and protection |
Materials and Long-Term Preservation
The icon is painted on a solid linden board. Oak splines on the reverse help stabilize the panel, while linen and natural chalk gesso prepare the surface for egg tempera, enamel work, gold leaf, and chasing.
The painting is made with mineral pigments bound in egg tempera. These traditional materials are chosen for depth, durability, and resistance to fading when the icon is cared for properly.
Choosing a Size
Available sizes are 17×21 cm (6.7×8.3 in), 20×24 cm (7.9×9.4 in), 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in), and 30×40 cm (11.8×15.7 in). Because this icon has fine enamel ornament and a chased gold kovcheg, larger sizes allow the details to open more fully.
For a gift, wedding blessing, or central family icon, 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in) and 30×40 cm (11.8×15.7 in) are especially expressive.
Care and Preservation
The icon should not be washed, polished, or wiped with a damp cloth. Gold leaf, enamel, and chased relief must be protected from household cleaners and abrasive contact.
Dust may be removed only with a very soft dry brush. A glazed wooden icon case is recommended for long-term protection.
Ordering, Shipping, and Payment
The icon is available in several sizes. Free international shipping is included, with payment after delivery.
Questions and Answers
What is the Armenian Orthodox Icon of Virgin Mary?
It is a rare hand-painted icon of the Mother of God with Armenian and Eastern Christian visual features, painted within Orthodox iconographic tradition.
What iconographic type is this icon?
It belongs to the Hodegetria type, where the Mother of God points to Christ as the true way to salvation.
What makes this icon visually distinctive?
The dark blue maforion with red lining, the large floral fibula on the chest, and the closed Gospel in Christ’s hand make the image especially recognizable.
What does the fibula mean?
The large jeweled clasp recalls Eastern and Byzantine royal dress and emphasizes the dignity of the Theotokos as Queen of Heaven.
What is shown in Christ’s hand?
Christ Child holds a closed Gospel book marked with a cross and blesses the faithful with His right hand.
What sizes are available?
Available sizes are 17×21 cm (6.7×8.3 in), 20×24 cm (7.9×9.4 in), 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in), and 30×40 cm (11.8×15.7 in).
What is special about the decoration?
The icon has multicolored enamel ornament on the margins, a 23K gold leaf (960 purity) kovcheg, hand-chased plant relief, and gold assist details.
What do Orthodox Christians pray for before this icon?
They pray for peace, reconciliation, family well-being, protection during travel, help for those far from home, healing, and inner calm.
Can this icon be used as a wedding icon?
Yes. As a Mother of God icon and Hodegetria image, it can be a meaningful icon for a wedding blessing and family prayer.
How are shipping and payment arranged?
Free international shipping is included, with payment after delivery.
| Dimensions | 17x21cm (6.7×8.3 in), 20x24cm (7.9×9.4 in), 27x31cm (10.6×12.2 in), 30x40cm (11.8×15.7 in) |
|---|---|
| Name | Mary |
