Vladimir Mother of God Icon with Chased Gold

Vladimir Mother of God Icon with Chased Gold is a hand-painted Orthodox icon of the Most Holy Theotokos in the Vladimir iconographic type, also known as Eleusa or Tenderness. The Mother of God gently holds the Christ Child, while the Child presses His cheek to hers. The image expresses maternal love, divine mercy, spiritual closeness, and the mystery of God becoming truly human.

This version is richly decorated with gold leaf, chased ornament, and cold enamel details. The golden background and fields give the icon a solemn festal character, while the finely painted faces preserve the tenderness and prayerful silence of the Vladimir image.

The icon is available in 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in). It is suitable for a home icon corner, family prayer room, wedding gift, house blessing, anniversary, baptism, or as a lasting Orthodox family shrine.

The Vladimir Mother of God in Orthodox Tradition

The Vladimir icon of the Mother of God holds a special place in Orthodox tradition. It is one of the most beloved and venerated icons of the Theotokos, associated with mercy, protection, maternal intercession, and the spiritual life of the Christian home.

The icon belongs to the Eleusa type. In this form, Christ and His Mother are shown in a close, tender embrace. The Child leans toward the Theotokos, and she inclines her head toward Him. The composition is deeply personal, yet it also contains a profound theological meaning: the one held in the arms of Mary is the eternal Son of God, who entered human life for the salvation of the world.

The gaze of the Mother of God is often turned toward the viewer, full of quiet sorrow and compassion. She holds Christ with love, while already knowing that His path will lead to the Cross. The icon therefore speaks both of motherly tenderness and of sacrificial love.

History of the Vladimir Icon

According to Church tradition, the prototype of the Vladimir icon is connected with the Apostle and Evangelist Luke. The image later came to Constantinople and then to Rus. In the twelfth century it was kept in Vyshgorod near Kiev and later brought by Prince Andrey Bogolyubsky to Vladimir, from which the icon received its name.

Over the centuries, the Vladimir icon became one of the great spiritual symbols of Orthodox life. Believers prayed before it in times of war, danger, illness, invasion, and national trial. It was regarded as a sign of the intercession of the Theotokos and as a reminder that earthly life stands under the mercy of God.

Today the Vladimir Mother of God remains one of the best-known Orthodox icons. It is loved not only for its historical importance, but also for its inward tenderness. The image is deeply suited to family prayer because it speaks of love, protection, patience, and faithful closeness.

Prayer Before the Vladimir Icon

Orthodox Christians pray before the Vladimir icon for protection of the family, peace between relatives, help in difficult circumstances, the preservation of marriage, the health and well-being of children and parents, spiritual strengthening, and maternal intercession.

Many families choose this icon as one of the central images in the home icon corner. It reminds the faithful that Christian family life is built on mercy, patience, forgiveness, and care for those entrusted to us. The icon does not promise an easy life; it calls the heart to prayer and trust in the mercy of Christ and His Mother.

The Vladimir image is also a meaningful gift for newlyweds, parents, godchildren, or a family moving into a new home. It is both a sacred image and a visible reminder that the home should become a place of prayer, peace, and mutual love.

Chased Gold and Decorative Features

This hand-painted icon is distinguished by its rich decorative finish. The golden background and ornamental fields are worked with hand chasing, creating a relief surface that catches the light and gives the image a festive, precious character.

Chasing has long been used in Orthodox art to adorn especially revered icons. It recalls the beauty of old icon covers and liturgical metalwork, while remaining part of the painted icon itself. The relief ornament does not distract from the faces; it frames them and emphasizes the sacred dignity of the image.

The garments of the Theotokos are painted in deep red and burgundy tones, with delicate ornamental details and gold highlights. These colors point to royal dignity, sacrificial love, and the reverent beauty of the Mother of God. The Christ Child is painted in warm, light garments, leaning toward His Mother in the characteristic tenderness of the Vladimir type.

The border includes colored cold enamel ornament in red, blue, green, black, and light tones. These accents give the icon a refined, jewel-like appearance while keeping the work within the tradition of Orthodox decorative icon painting.

Traditional Technique and Materials

The icon is painted by hand according to traditional Orthodox icon-painting methods. The wooden board is prepared with gesso, the natural chalk ground that provides a stable surface for painting and gilding. Egg tempera is used for the faces, garments, and details, giving the colors depth and durability.

Gold leaf is applied by hand to the background and ornamental areas. The chased decoration is also made by hand with careful detail. Each hand-painted icon has individual features, even when the iconographic subject is traditional. This makes the work both canonical and unique.

The finished icon is protected with a suitable finish to help preserve the painted and gilded surface. Because this icon includes gold and relief ornament, it should be handled carefully and ideally placed in a protective kiot.

Size, Placement, and Gift Use

The available size, 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in), is convenient for a home icon corner, prayer room, bedroom, living room, study, chapel, or parish space. It is large enough for the faces and ornament to be seen clearly, while still fitting well in a domestic setting.

The Vladimir Mother of God icon is often chosen as a family shrine. It may be given for a wedding, house blessing, baptism, anniversary, birthday, or as a gift to parents. A hand-painted icon can become part of family memory and be passed from generation to generation.

Free international shipping is included, and payment is made after you receive and approve the icon.

Icon Characteristics

Icon name	Vladimir Mother of God Icon with Chased Gold
Iconographic type	Vladimir Mother of God, Eleusa, Tenderness
Composition	The Theotokos holding Christ Child cheek to cheek
Available size	27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in)
Board	Wooden icon board
Ground	Gesso ground
Painting	Egg tempera with hand-painted ornamental details
Gold	Gold leaf with hand-chased ornament
Decoration	Cold enamel border ornament and gilded decorative fields
Shipping	Free international shipping; payment after receiving and approving the icon

Care and Preservation

Keep the icon away from direct sunlight, high humidity, heating devices, and sudden changes in temperature. Do not wipe the surface with water or chemical cleaners. Dust may be removed with a dry soft brush or cloth.

Because the icon includes gold leaf and hand-chased ornament, a glazed wooden kiot is recommended for long-term preservation. After receiving the icon, it is appropriate to have it blessed in an Orthodox church according to local parish practice.

Questions and Answers

What is shown on the Vladimir Mother of God icon?

The icon shows the Most Holy Theotokos holding the Christ Child in the Eleusa, or Tenderness, type. Christ presses His cheek to His Mother, expressing love, closeness, and the mystery of the Incarnation.

What does the Eleusa type mean?

Eleusa means Tenderness. It shows the spiritual and maternal closeness of the Mother of God and Christ, while also hinting at the future sorrow of the Passion.

Why is the Vladimir icon important in Orthodoxy?

The Vladimir icon is one of the most venerated icons of the Mother of God, associated with protection, mercy, family prayer, and the intercession of the Theotokos.

What is chased gold on this icon?

Chased gold is hand-tooled relief ornament over the gilded surface. It gives the background and fields a luminous, festive, and precious appearance.

What materials are used for this icon?

The icon is painted on a wooden board with gesso ground, egg tempera, gold leaf, hand-chased ornament, cold enamel details, and protective finish.

What size is available?

This icon is available in 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in). Other sizes may be discussed individually before ordering.

Is this icon suitable for a wedding gift?

Yes. The Vladimir Mother of God icon is a meaningful Orthodox gift for a wedding, house blessing, anniversary, baptism, or family prayer corner.

Where can this icon be placed at home?

It may be placed in the home icon corner, prayer room, bedroom, living room, or another reverent place together with icons of Christ and the saints.

Should the icon be blessed after purchase?

Yes. After receiving the icon, it is appropriate to have it blessed in an Orthodox church according to local parish practice.

Do you offer international shipping?

Yes. Free international shipping is included, and payment is made after you receive and approve the icon.