Vladimir icon of God Mother

Vladimir icon of God Mother is a hand-painted Orthodox icon of the Vladimir Mother of God, one of the most revered images of the Theotokos. It belongs to the Eleusa, or Tenderness, type, where Christ Child presses close to His Mother and she receives Him with love and sorrow.

This version has a richly ceremonial finish: multicolored enamel ornament on the margins, a gilded and hand-chased kovcheg, and brocade-style gold painting on the maforion of the Mother of God. It is an ornate family icon for prayer, blessing, and long-term preservation.

Meaning of the Vladimir icon of God Mother

The Vladimir icon is an image of maternal love, protection, mercy, and intercession. Orthodox Christians pray before it for the preservation of family life, protection of children, healing, reconciliation, peace, and help in times of serious choice.

The Theotokos looks outward toward the person praying, while the Christ Child embraces her closely. Her gaze carries both tenderness and sorrow, reminding the faithful of her compassion and her foreknowledge of Christ’s Passion.

Eleusa: The Tenderness Type

Eleusa means Tenderness. In this iconographic type, the holy faces of the Mother of God and Christ Child touch, and the Child holds His Mother in a close embrace. The image expresses divine love, trust, and the nearness of Christ to humanity.

The visible bare sole of the Christ Child’s left foot is a key detail of the Vladimir image. It points to the true humanity of Christ, who took flesh and accepted human vulnerability for the salvation of the world.

Enamel Margins and Chased Kovcheg

The wide margins are decorated by hand with multicolored cold enamel ornament over 960 gold leaf. Blue, red, light blue, and white elements form a festive plant pattern, giving the icon a royal and ceremonial character.

The central kovcheg is also gilded with 960 gold leaf and worked by hand with a fine chased plant ornament. In candlelight, the relief catches many small reflections and creates a luminous sacred field around the holy figures.

Brocade-Style Maforion

The maforion of the Mother of God is richly decorated with gold ornament painted in the style of precious Byzantine brocade. This technique evokes fabric embroidered with gold thread and pearl-like detail.

The ornament does not replace the spiritual meaning of the icon; it emphasizes the dignity of the Theotokos as Queen of Heaven while keeping the prayerful focus on the holy faces and the Eleusa embrace.

Icon Characteristics

Materials and Traditional Technique

The icon is painted on a solid linden board. A kovcheg is cut into the front surface, and oak splines are inserted on the back to help protect the board from warping. The painting is made with egg tempera and natural mineral pigments.

The gold, enamel, and chased details require careful handwork. The result is a rich but still prayerful icon, created for devotional use rather than decorative display alone.

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 includes enamel ornament, chased gold, and brocade-style garment painting, larger formats show the detail especially well.

For a wedding gift, central family icon, or home iconostasis, the 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in) and 30×40 cm (11.8×15.7 in) sizes are especially suitable.

Prayer and Family Use

Before the Vladimir Mother of God, the faithful pray for peace in the home, protection of children, reconciliation after conflict, healing, and spiritual clarity before important decisions.

This ornate version is especially fitting as a solemn wedding gift, anniversary gift, or central family icon intended to be preserved for many years.

Care and Preservation

An icon with enamel, gold leaf, and chased relief should not be washed, polished, or wiped with a damp cloth. Household cleaners and abrasive materials must not be used.

Dust may be removed only with a very soft dry brush. A glazed wooden icon case is strongly recommended to protect the enamel, gold, tempera painting, and wooden board.

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 Vladimir icon of God Mother?

It is a hand-painted Orthodox icon of the Vladimir Mother of God, an Eleusa or Tenderness image of the Theotokos with Christ Child.

What is special about this version?

This version has enamel ornament on the margins, a chased gold kovcheg, and brocade-style gold decoration on the maforion.

What does Eleusa mean?

Eleusa means Tenderness. It shows the Mother of God and Christ Child cheek to cheek in a close embrace of love and compassion.

What makes the Vladimir icon recognizable?

The visible bare sole of the Christ Child’s left foot is the classic distinguishing feature of the Vladimir iconographic type.

What are the enamel margins?

The wide margins are decorated by hand with multicolored cold enamel ornament over 960 gold leaf, creating a festive and ceremonial frame.

What is kovcheg on this icon?

Kovcheg is the recessed central field of the icon board. In this version it is gilded with 960 gold leaf and decorated with chased plant ornament.

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 do Orthodox Christians pray for before this icon?

They pray for family peace, protection of children, healing, reconciliation, inner peace, and help in difficult decisions.

Can this icon be chosen as a wedding gift?

Yes. The Vladimir Mother of God is a traditional Orthodox wedding icon and this ornate version is suitable as a solemn family gift.

How are shipping and payment arranged?

Free international shipping is included, with payment after delivery.