Ways to Display Icons

Icons are often affixed to an icon screen (in a church), hung on the wall, or placed on a shelf. Special icons might be in a glass case, or in a specially-made frame, or on a pole (for carrying in a procession). These beautifully-framed icons are at the Temple Gallery.

Most of our icons are leaning on a shelf. A few are hanging from a hook on the back. I've personally never added a hook to one of my icons; I have only reused some that were already in place. I'm afraid of injuring the older boards.

One large icon is clamped lightly between the top and bottom of an artist's easel. I used museum putty on the top so there is some expansion space if either of the wood items expands or contracts.

Several of my brass icons are attached to a dictionary stand using museum putty, to prevent them sliding or falling off when it is moved around.

I've considered a more elaborate hanging system, but for now I have been content to have them on shelves or a counter.

Here are some free-standing frames made by Dylan Hartley, called icon thrones. They allow an icon to be placed away from the walls, in the center of a large space.

A few weeks ago, when looking for icon boards, I spotted an item called an icon shrine. Here's an image, from St. John's Workshop, the folks who make them.

I supposed that these could be used inside a home as well as outdoors at a retreat center or on church grounds. I went on searching for other items that I needed.

A few days later I got a call from someone who manages the inventory of set pieces, costumes and other items at a local theatre. He offered me a piece they didn't expect to use again. It had been in the back of the warehouse for 18 years ...

Suddenly I had an enormous icon shrine or throne (or Lutheran church altar). It sat on my front porch for several days as I wondered what I should do with it.

It's 9 feet tall and 6 feet wide (3 m x 2 m). The bottom front had been burnt by candles and the paint was peeling. I spent some time removing spiders and loose nails, wiping off dust and debris and cleaning everything. The side pieces are not attached, just put in place for the photo.

Rather than restore this piece, I just barely repainted a few small small sections until I had matched the color and reduced the impression of the burned areas. I didn't want to make it look new, just like it was loved and appreciated.

Then I tried various icons. They all appeared too small or inappropriate. The icon inside this shrine must be the right scale and a single figure, I think. This image came to my mind (photo from Wikipedia Commons). The Pantocrator from St. Catherine's Monastery in Sinai, Egypt.

I knew where I could find one to borrow, so after some prayer and consideration I asked for the temporary loan of a partially-completed icon of Christ Pantocrator. I'm pleased with the icon's nearly-finished state of completion, even though the halo gold leaf is not yet applied.

Here's how it looks now:

I think it looks wonderful. I found a matching "altar cloth" to put under the icon, and mounted a small icon of the Mother of God underneath. Now we need to find a safe way to light the icon.