I started by buying a few icons, then I read books about them. I scoured the Internet. I went to museums and looked in shops. I have found a few people who love icons, and some of them have become good friends.
I've been able to spend time with icons - in person, Internet, and museums. And I have spent time corresponding with other icon lovers - mostly dealers but also some collectors.
Icons are rare enough in the United States that you don't often find them in retail stores or the average antique shop. Those that I have seen tend to be more sentimental Western images, or cheap prints laminated onto a board. This is a page from a book that I put onto a scrap of wood, to go into a crypt as a memorial for a family member. In the photo it looks old. In person you would see that it is not.
SOURCES
In my experience, the main choices for purchasing Greek or Russian icons are these:
- Specialist Dealer in Icons (via website or in person)
- From a Tourist Shop in the Holy Land, or Turkey, or ...
- Traditional Auction House or Specialist Auction
- Internet auction sources such as eBay
- Private party sale
- Directly from an iconographer
- Mail order catalog (new or mechanically-copied icons)
Each method has its advantages and disadvantages. One of the great things about wandering / browsing through a good dealer's shop is that you see things you were not expecting. Like this carving (not an icon) which I found in a church antique / salvage shop (yes, they do take churches apart and resell everything).
That can involve currency exchange, shipping costs and weeks of worry when you get home and your icon has not arrived. Or squeezing the icon into your suitcase and then having to explain it to the customs and immigration officers.
It's possible to do the same thing via the web but it takes more time and persistence, and many more emails to accomplish what a short visit can do. Here is one of my dealer friends showing a beautiful newly-painted icon that he received for his 40th birthday.
If you can find a real iconographer, have a long talk with her or him. They will know sources for locating new or old icons, although I suspect active collectors will have more to say on the subject.
I commissioned this icon from Jackie (pictured above) after meeting her at a church in England.
DEALERS
The Temple Gallery in London
The Russian Store in West Palm Beach and New York City
Motka in Pennsylvania and eBay
Russian Icon in Estonia
Russian Icons in Lithuania
Icon Gallery Moenius in Regensburg, Germany
Iconastas in London
and no doubt from some others that I have forgotten (sorry). In addition, I have bought a few directly from iconographers (for example, Aidan Hart Icons in England), and some from other collectors.
CHURCHES
When you travel, try to visit churches and ask politely if you can look around. You will learn a lot about the kind of icons they have, and how church icons compare to home icons. They might not invite photography, so ask first if it's ok.
Holy Virgin Cathedral, San Francisco, CA
Saints Helen and Constantine Greek Orthodox Church, San Marcos, CA
MUSEUMS
Other sources of inspiration for me include museums that feature icons. The J. Paul Getty Museum has occasional displays of fantastic icons, such as the icons from St. Catherine's on Mount Sinai, and other related religious art from Europe. Here I am admiring an Italian work at the Getty.
This is a 14th century ivory carving in the style of the Dormition of the Virgin icon,
The view shown below is the main floor of the Museum of Russian Icons in Clinton, MA.
On a visit several years ago, I was able to meet Gordon Lankton, the founder of the museum (below), who is himself a real collector. The museum is essentially his personal collection from 20+ years of searching for icons.
When you visit museums to get a sense of the things they collect, you can see how their needs differ from what a person might buy. This is the Timken Museum in San Diego. I am fortunate to live close by, so I have often enjoyed their icons (and other art).
EXHIBITS
If you see a notice of special icon shows or exhibitions, try to attend one. You may see icons that you wouldn't ever imagine might exist. Your eyes will be opened.
Like the fantastic 2-sided icon that appears in the photos above and below, which I saw in New York City in September 2012. This exhibit was put together by icon dealer Dennis Easter (shown at podium and smiling below).
