Orthodox icon "St. Nicholas" Niello & Gilding

Orthodox Icon St. Nicholas in 925 Silver — 420 Grams Silver, Niello Hand-Engraving, Partially Gilded

420 grams. This weight is no coincidence — it is the measure of what sets this icon apart from others. The same outer dimensions as its smaller sister (161 × 131 × 25 mm), but almost twice as heavy: More silver on the image, a more extensive riza, an oklad that encloses the holy image more completely. Saint Nicholas, the Wonderworker, in 925 Sterling Silver — niello hand-engraving for the ornamentation, partial gilding for the central elements. Crafted by SevChern in Veliky Ustyug. Holding the heavy icon in your hand is a different experience than owning it.

Weight as a Mark of Quality

420 grams for a format of 161 × 131 mm means: The silver oklad covers a larger part of the image surface. In the tradition of the Russian silver icon, the riza — the overlaid metal casing — is a sign of respect for the saint and the generosity of the patron. The heavier the riza, the more complete the protection, the more present the silver as a material. This icon is the more complete version — for all who believe more silver carries more meaning.

The combination of niello ornamentation and partial gilding creates a triad: the dark niello in the engraved lines, the bright polished silver of the surfaces, the warm gold of the gilded accents. No element overshadows another — they relate to each other like notes in a score.

Nicholas the Wonderworker — Who He Is

Nicholas of Myra, a 4th-century bishop in modern-day Turkey, is one of the most revered saints in all of Christianity. In Orthodox tradition, he stands as a wonderworker for protection, intercession, and the power of prayer across distance and time. To have an icon of Saint Nicholas in a home means: The patron saint is present. This is not abstract symbolism — it is a religious practice lived for centuries.

SevChern — Niello from Veliky Ustyug

Veliky Ustyug, a city in the Vologda Oblast in Northern Russia, has cultivated the niello silver tradition since 1683. The geographically protected designation of origin is on par with champagne: authentic Ustyug niello may only be produced there. The ornaments on this icon are hand-engraved into the silver, the niello alloy fired at over 800 degrees Celsius — insoluble, permanent, more contrasting with each passing year. The artist's workshop mark is engraved and registered annually. In 1937, the tradition received a gold medal in Paris.

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 the main gift, which acquires lasting significance in the home
• For a Name Day — for all whose patron saint is Saint Nicholas
• As a Luxury Gift — when the weight of the gift should match its importance
• For Collectors — the heaviest Nicholas icon in the collection, Russian niello silver with workshop mark

The lighter variant (265 g) can be found as Icon St. Nicholas Niello Gilded in the same collection.

SilberVerse Card and Engraving

Upon request, we include a personalized SilberVerse card in 10×15 cm format — with a personal text from the giver, tailored to the occasion and recipient. Currently free of charge. Simply state your wish in the order field.

Engraving on the back of the icon available upon request — name, date, dedication.

Care of Niello Silver

• Dry cloth — for polished and gilded surfaces; no silver polish
• No silver dip bath — the niello inlays and gilding would be damaged
• Storage — in the gift box or on the wall; no direct sunlight

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between this icon (420 g) and the lighter variant (265 g)?
Both depict Saint Nicholas in the same format (161×131 mm). The difference lies in the silver content: This variant weighs 420 g — 155 g more. The heavier riza covers a larger part of the image surface and gives the icon more silver presence. The lighter variant (11673) is completely gilded; this one features niello ornaments with partial gilding — a different visual character.

Can the icon be mounted on the wall?
Yes. The wooden frame is equipped with a hanging device. The icon can be displayed hanging or standing — in a prayer corner, a study, a living room.

Are there other silver icons of this quality?
Yes — in our Orthodox Icons Collection, you will find more motifs in 925 silver with niello, enamel, and gilding.

Other gift ideas:

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