Sovereign Icon of the Mother of God
Price range: $1000 through $2250
Sovereign Icon of the Mother of God is a hand-painted Orthodox icon of the Theotokos enthroned with crown, scepter, orb, and Christ Child, revealed in 1917 in Kolomenskoye.
Available sizes: 20×24 cm (7.9×9.4 in), 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in), 30×40 cm (11.8×15.7 in). Multicolored enamel margins, 960 gold leaf, hand-chased background, egg tempera, and gold assist. Free international shipping, with payment after delivery.
It is possible to paint an image in any size to order
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Sovereign Icon of the Mother of God is a hand-painted Orthodox icon of the Theotokos enthroned as the heavenly Queen and protector. Unlike ancient Byzantine prototypes, this image entered Orthodox history in the dramatic twentieth century, at the moment when earthly power in Russia was collapsing.
The Mother of God is shown seated on a royal throne, crowned, and holding the scepter and orb. This version is richly decorated with multicolored enamel ornament, chased gold, egg tempera painting, and gold assist, giving the icon a solemn and ceremonial character.
The 1917 Finding in Kolomenskoye
The Sovereign Icon of the Mother of God was found on March 2/15, 1917, the same day Emperor Nicholas II abdicated the throne. According to tradition, a peasant woman named Evdokia Adrianova had dreams in which she was told to find a large dark icon in Kolomenskoye and make it red so that people could pray before it.
After a search with the priest of the Ascension church, the icon was found in the church basement among old boards. When it was cleaned, the majestic image appeared: the Mother of God in red garments, seated on a throne, crowned, and holding the symbols of royal power.
Spiritual Meaning of the Sovereign Icon
For Orthodox believers, the timing of the icon’s finding was understood as a sign of heavenly protection in a time of national trial. When the earthly throne was emptied, the image revealed the Mother of God as the Sovereign Protectress and intercessor before Christ.
The icon does not present political nostalgia as its central meaning. Its deeper call is repentance, spiritual order, fidelity, and hope that God’s providence is stronger than the storms of history.
Iconography: Throne, Scepter, and Orb
The Theotokos sits on a carved royal throne, a sign of her dignity as the Mother of the King of Kings. The crown, scepter, and orb speak the visual language of authority, but within the Orthodox understanding all true authority belongs to God.
The Christ Child blesses the world and holds the blue orb crowned with a golden cross. The Mother of God’s strict and sorrowful gaze turns directly toward the person praying, calling the soul toward sobriety, responsibility, and faith.
Enamel Margins and Chased Gold
This icon is decorated in a ceremonial style. The wide margins are ornamented by hand with multicolored cold enamel in black, red, blue, and white over gold. The pattern recalls the richness of old Russian sacred and applied art.
The gold background is worked with fine hand chasing. The flowing plant ornament suggests the Garden of Paradise and makes the gold surface shimmer gently in lamplight. The dark maforion of the Mother of God is enriched with gold assist and floral detail.
What People Pray For Before This Icon
Before the Sovereign icon, Orthodox Christians pray for peace, the protection of the country, the wisdom of rulers, and deliverance from war, confusion, and injustice. The image is also approached in personal needs where order, truth, and courage are required.
Families pray for the restoration of proper order in the home, for the strengthening of parental authority, for children, and for healing from nervous exhaustion, despondency, and spiritual heaviness.
Icon Characteristics
| Name | Sovereign Icon of the Mother of God |
| Iconographic type | Sovereign icon, related to the Panachranta type |
| Main composition | The Mother of God enthroned with crown, scepter, orb, and Christ Child |
| Available sizes | 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 ornament over gold |
| Background | 960 gold leaf with hand-chased plant ornament |
| Painting | Hand-painted egg tempera with natural mineral pigments |
| Garment detail | Gold assist on the maforion, throne, cushions, and royal garments |
| Board | Solid linden board with linen, chalk gesso, and inserted oak splines |
| Purpose | Home iconostasis, family relic, executive or public-service gift, prayer for peace and responsibility |
Materials and Durability
The icon is painted on a solid linden board with inserted oak splines to help protect the panel from warping. Linen and natural chalk gesso prepare the surface for the gold, enamel ornament, and egg tempera painting.
The colors are made from natural mineral pigments, and the background is gilded with 960 gold leaf. This traditional technique is chosen for depth, stability, and long preservation.
Size and Gift Use
Available sizes are 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 the icon includes enamel ornament, chased gold, and fine garment detail, the 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in) and 30×40 cm (11.8×15.7 in) sizes show the work most clearly.
The Sovereign icon is often chosen as a dignified gift for people who bear responsibility for others: leaders, public servants, military officers, judges, executives, and heads of families.
Care and Preservation
Gold leaf, enamel, and chased relief require careful handling. The icon should not be washed, polished, or wiped with damp cloths, and household cleaners must not be used.
Dust may be removed only with a very soft dry brush. A glazed wooden icon case is recommended for protecting the enamel, gold, and tempera painting from dust, smoke, and accidental touch.
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 unique about the Sovereign Icon of the Mother of God?
The Theotokos is shown with imperial symbols of authority: seated on a throne, crowned, and holding the scepter and orb.
Why is the year 1917 important for this icon?
The icon was found on March 2/15, 1917, the same day Emperor Nicholas II abdicated, which gave the image deep spiritual meaning for Orthodox believers.
Where was the Sovereign icon found?
It was found in the village of Kolomenskoye near Moscow, in the basement of the Ascension church, after the dreams of Evdokia Adrianova.
What do the scepter and orb mean?
They are symbols of sovereign authority, showing the Mother of God as a heavenly intercessor and protector while all true authority belongs to God.
What is special about the decoration?
This version has multicolored enamel ornament on the margins, hand-chased gold background, and gold assist on the dark maforion.
What sizes are available?
Available sizes are 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 do Orthodox Christians pray for before this icon?
They pray for peace, protection of the country, wisdom for those in authority, justice, family order, healing, and spiritual strength.
Who is this icon suitable as a gift for?
It is a meaningful gift for a leader, public servant, military officer, judge, executive, or anyone bearing responsibility for others.
How should an icon with enamel and chased gold be cared for?
It should not be washed, polished, or wiped with damp cloths. Dust may be removed only with a very soft dry brush.
How are shipping and payment arranged?
Free international shipping is included, with payment after delivery.
| Dimensions | 20x24cm (7.9×9.4 in), 27x31cm (10.6×12.2 in), 30x40cm (11.8×15.7 in) |
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| Name | Mary |
