Customs officials seized a rare 19th-century icon that was being shipped to Thailand
Kyiv customs officials prevented the illegal export of a valuable historical relic. While inspecting an international mail shipment bound for Thailand, they discovered a rare icon of the “Mother of God of the Sign,” created in the first half of the 19th century and adorned with silver embroidery.
As it turned out, the sender from Kyiv had not provided the necessary documents authorizing the export of cultural property outside Ukraine. Due to the lack of the required permits, customs officials seized the icon, and the circumstances surrounding the attempted shipment are currently being investigated.
A rare 19th-century icon embroidered with silver thread was being illegally smuggled out of Ukraine to Thailand but was stopped by Kyiv customs officials.
“Kyiv customs officials prevented the illegal export of a rare embroidered icon, ‘Our Lady of the Sign,’ created in the first half of the 19th century. The cultural artifact was discovered during a customs inspection of an international postal shipment en route from Ukraine to Thailand,” the customs service stated.
According to experts from the National Museum of the History of Ukraine, the icon combines oil painting and embroidery techniques. Silk threads, sequins, as well as flat and twisted silver threads were used in its decoration.
Experts believe the icon was created in a professional workshop that carried on the ancient traditions of monastic embroidery. It is precisely the distinctive techniques used, along with the use of silver threads, sequins, and floral ornamentation, that have made it possible to date the artifact to the first half of the 19th century.
In Ukraine, workshops where embroidered church items were made operated until the early 20th century, notably at the Florivsky Monastery in Kyiv.
Experts note that far fewer embroidered icons have survived to this day than painted ones, and also fewer than other embroidered church objects.
“That is precisely why this icon is particularly valuable. It has scientific, historical, and museum significance and can be used to study and reconstruct domestic and church interiors of that time,” the State Customs Service emphasized.
The sender of the international mail was a Kyiv resident. No permits required for the export of cultural property outside Ukraine were provided to customs officials, they noted.
Kyiv Customs drew up a report on the violation of customs regulations. The icon has been seized pending a court ruling on the matter.
This was reported by the State Customs Service on Friday.
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