18th century AD. A bifolium with two paintings showing the meeting of Saint John Chrystostom with the empress Eudoxia, and Saint John sent to exile with two horsemen on reverse.Cf. for similar style of painting the double-sided diptych with Mary, her son, and Saint George, in the Walters Art Gallery, inv.36.5; cf. Heldman, M., Munro-Hay, C., Zion, the sacred art of Ethiopia, New Heaven-London, 1993, fig.121, p.254.37 grams total, 38.5 x 28.5cm each (15 1/4 x 11 1/4"). Ex central London gallery; previously in a UK private collection, in 1990s.This bifolium is realised in the Gondarine style of mid-late18th century AD. The manuscript was probably part of a Homiliary in honour of the Archangel Michael. Saint Michael's feast of 12 Genbot was usually shared with the commemoration of Saint John Chrysostom. The homily was accompanied by a miniature of the empress Eudoxia, dressed as an Ethiopian empress, meeting with Saint John and sending him to exile because he reproached her for her luxury dress and jewellery; a second miniature depicts the exile of the Saint. [No Reserve]

Fine condition.