Orthodox icon "St. Nicholas" Niello gilded

Orthodox Icon St. Nicholas in 925 Silver — Niello Hand-Engraving, Gilding, 265 Grams of Faith

This icon is not a wall decoration. It is a piece of living tradition: Saint Nicholas, the Wonderworker, engraved in 925 sterling silver, fully gilded, mounted on a wooden frame — 161 × 131 mm, 265 grams, handcrafted in the SevChern manufactory in Veliky Ustyug. The niello hand-engraving brings out the saint's face and the ornamentation of the frame in a contrast of dark lines and warm gold that cannot be achieved with any other technique. An icon, which in the Orthodox tradition is always more than a picture — it is a place of contemplation, a gift with a conscience, a piece that lasts for decades.

St. Nicholas — The Saint Who Remains

Nicholas of Myra, the Wonderworker, is one of the most revered saints in the Christian world — in both the Eastern and Western Churches, from Siberia to Sicily. He is considered the patron saint of travelers, children, sailors, the sick, and the poor. An icon of Saint Nicholas is not the depiction of a distant figure — it is the actualization of a protection that generations before us have invoked.

The depiction on this icon follows the classic Orthodox canon: the blessing countenance, the bishop's vestments, the characteristic facial features, passed down for centuries. What niello hand-engraving adds is depth — the dark ornamental lines in the gilded silver give the image a three-dimensionality that no printed or painted image can achieve.

Niello Hand-Engraving from Veliky Ustyug

In Veliky Ustyug, a city in the Vologda Oblast in Northern Russia, the niello technique has been documented since 1683 — geographically protected like Champagne, produced only there. SevChern, the manufactory that carries on this tradition, hand-engraves the ornaments into the silver: each line a manual intervention with a graver, then the black niello alloy of silver, copper, lead, and sulfur is melted at over 800 degrees Celsius, insolubly bonded to the silver base. The gilding comes afterward — warm, durable, emphasizing the ornaments. The artist's manufactory mark is engraved into each piece, registered annually with the Russian Federal Assay Office.

In 1937, this tradition received a gold medal at the World Exhibition in Paris. This icon is part of the same lineage.

As a Gift — For Whom and When

• Easter — the most important feast of the Orthodox Church, the moment for the most significant gift
• Christmas — an icon as a gift that lasts and grows
• Baptism — the patron saint as the first gift for a new life
• Name Day — for all those named Nicholas or who know themselves to be under his protection
• For Collectors — Russian niello silver with a manufactory mark, a piece with history and origin

SilverVerse Card and Engraving

Upon request, we will include a personalized SilverVerse card in 10×15 cm format — with personal text from the giver, tailored to the occasion and recipient. The card is currently free and is created individually for each order. Simply state your wish in the order field.

An engraving on the back of the icon is possible upon request — name, date, a dedication. Please contact us.

Care of Niello Silver

• Dry cloth — for polished and gilded surfaces; no silver polish
• No silver dip — the niello inlays and gilding would be damaged
• Storage — in the gift case or on the wall; not in direct sunlight

925 silver with niello is one of the most durable silver finishes — the ornaments do not fade, they deepen with each year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What distinguishes this icon from a painted or printed icon?
The difference is fundamental: This icon is made of 925 sterling silver, the ornaments are hand-engraved into the metal and enameled with niello. It is a metal artwork that lasts for decades or centuries — without fading, tearing, or decay. The tradition of the silver icon (riza or oklad) dates back to the early Middle Ages in the Eastern Church.

Is this icon suitable for daily use (prayer corner, home icon)?
Yes. The icon is mounted on a sturdy wooden frame and can be hung on the wall or placed upright. It is designed for a permanent presence in a room — as a home icon, in a prayer corner, or as the centerpiece of a small altar.

Are there other icons made of 925 silver?
Yes — in our Orthodox Icons Collection, you will find other silver icons with niello, enamel, and gilding. Our Orthodox Gifts also offer suitable additions.

Further gift ideas:

• Orthodox Icons in 925 Silver
• Orthodox Gifts in 925 Silver
• Religious Gifts in 925 Silver
• Luxury Gifts in 925 Silver