Authenticité et provenance
Nous expédions depuis Thessalonique vers tous les pays. Chaque colis est assuré et suivi.
An icon is not decoration. It is made to be prayed with, handed down and trusted. This page sets out plainly how each of our icons is made, what you receive with it, and the difference between a hand-painted original and a reproduction, so that you always know exactly what you are buying.
Where our icons come from
Agiografia began with pilgrimages to Mount Athos from 1997 and grew through work on the Athos Digital Heritage project, digitising icons, manuscripts and treasures of the Holy Monasteries. That experience shaped how we work today: from our studio in Thessaloniki we paint icons by hand, and we reproduce with great care icons originally written in Athonite monasteries and shrines, so that these works can be known and prayed with around the world.
Two kinds of icon, named honestly
Every product page states which kind of icon it is, in its title, its technique and its placard.
| Hand-painted originals | Museum Editions, Silver Reliefs and Gallery Prints | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A new icon painted entirely by hand by an iconographer | A faithful reproduction of an existing icon: only the image is reproduced, every other part is made by hand |
| Painting | Traditional tempera, built up layer by layer | The image is reproduced with archival inks; the gold leaf, silver-plated relief or foil, and the finishing are applied by hand |
| Panel | Solid wood, every time | Solid wood or a stable composite panel, depending on the edition; the panel is named on each icon's placard |
| Uniqueness | One of a kind; no two are identical | Made to order, each one finished and inspected individually |
We never describe a reproduction as hand-painted. If you are unsure which kind suits you, or what a particular icon is made of, write to us and we will tell you exactly.
What comes with every icon
- Certificate of Authenticity and Quality, issued by the studio for that icon.
- The studio's title and mark on every artwork, so the icon can always be traced back to us.
- A mounting point on the back, ready to hang; smaller sizes also come with a stand.
- A black luxury icon case and protective packing for the journey.
Made to order and inspected by hand
Each icon is made when you order it. Its preparation time is shown on its page, beside the price. Before it leaves the studio, every icon goes through a quality inspection, and then it is packed and shipped insured and tracked. Orders to the USA and the UK are sent with all import duties already paid.
Commissions and copies of family icons
We also paint icons to order, of any saint or feast, and can make an exact copy of an icon that belongs to your family or parish. Read how a commission works.
Our promise
If your icon arrives damaged, open the parcel in front of the courier, note the damage and email us within 24 hours at info@agiografiaicons.com: every order is insured and we will send your icon again. You may also withdraw from a purchase within 14 days of delivery, as EU consumer law provides, except for icons made to your specifications or personalised for you. The details are on our Shipping & customs page.
