Eastern / Horn of Africa, Ethiopia, Central and Northern Highlands, Amhara or Tigrinya peoples, ca. 20th century CE. A pretty wooden icon colorfully hand-painted to depict the Virgin Mary holding the Christ child with 2 angels grasping swords behind them. Three perforations along the left periphery indicate this was likely once part of a diptych. During this period, Ethiopian artists were increasingly exposed to forms of expression from Europe, and diptychs and triptychs like this example became popular among the nobility. The paintings present a wide range of jewel-tone colors and a wonderful command of line. Somewhat similar to Byzantine icons in that the compositions boldly renounce perspective and press the figures close to the picture plane, the paintings also display an embrace of figural frontality. A wonderful example! Size: 5.8" W x 6.8" H (14.7 cm x 17.3 cm)

Provenance: private Ventura County, California, USA collection

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#178342

Perforations from old attachment on left periphery and drill hole in lower left corner. Small chip with stable fissure on right periphery, as well as expected nicks and abrasions commensurate with age. Otherwise, intact and very nice with good preservation of imagery and color.