A HUGE collection of sacred religious icons worth tens of thousands of pounds – some dating back to the 18th Century - have been discovered in a storage locker in Ealing.

The find has stunned experts at Hansons London, the auction house where the items will go under the hammer this weekend (26).

In all, 89 icons have been uncovered and, such is their historical importance, they could make in excess of £20,000.

Chris Kirkham, head of Fine Art at Hansons London, said: “I was called by a client to assess a collection which had been in storage in Ealing for 20 years.  

“When I opened the storage room door, I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was packed with an exceptional array or icons.

“Painting after painting emerged brimming with religious imagery. To see so many sacred items in one setting was quite astounding.”

An icon is a religious image or representation of an object, deity or sacred figure or event. They are widely used in Orthodox churches. They are generally flat panel paintings depicting a holy person or object, such as Jesus, Mary, saints, angels or the cross.

“The collection was amassed over the course of decades by the seller’s late father, a former London businessman from a Greek Catholic family.  He curated and researched each piece,” Mr Kirkham added.

The seller, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “My father, who died 20 years ago at the age of 82, liked to collect many things.

“One of his friends also collected religious icons and they used to compete to find fine examples. These icons were never put on display but kept in storage for decades.

“I never saw them. I think most were purchased in the 1970s and 80s.

“The examples being offered by Hansons are one fourth of my father’s collection. His icons have been shared among family members, but there are too many to look after and display.”

The icons will be offered by Hansons London at Normansfield Theatre, Teddington, on Saturday February 26. Catalogue: www.hansonslive.co.uk.

To find out more or to arrange a free valuation, call 0207 018 9300 or 07469 353 077. Alternatively, email enquiries@hansonslondon.co.uk