Main Bead Embroidery Kit Icon of the Mother of God «Reigning»

“Icon of the Mother of God «Reigning»” is a solemn image of the Virgin enthroned, crowned, holding a sceptre and an orb. It is the largest and most detailed icon in this group.

What the picture shows

The Virgin sits on a tall golden throne with carved columns and a canopy; a blue crown set with stones rests on her head and a crimson royal mantle with a green lining falls from her shoulders. She holds a sceptre in her right hand and supports the blessing Child with her left. The Child's garment is pale and finely flowered. A green cushion and the steps of the throne sit beneath her feet. The background is a warm ivory with a faint foliate pattern; it stays as print, while the beadwork covers the figures, the throne and the ornament. A wide blue border filled with dense golden interlace frames the icon, with red crosses on pale squares in the four corners. A panel with a Church Slavonic inscription runs along the bottom.

What is in the kit

• Artist canvas with the full-colour pattern printed on it — no chart to follow on a screen
• Czech Preciosa beads, 24 colours
• Beading needles
• Instructions and finishing guide

Specifications

• Finished size: 320×450 mm (12.5×17.7 in)
• Beads: approx. 24,090
• Bead colours: 24
• Difficulty: above average
• Base: artist canvas

The piece is large and vertical, made for a wall of its own or the central place on a home icon shelf. Because of the amount of beadwork it is usually framed, though gallery finishing over a stretcher bar works too.