Early 20th C. Ethiopian Wooden Coptic Icon
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Description
**Originally Listed At $150**
Africa, Ethiopia, ca. 1930 to 1950 CE. A striking religious icon delineated in rich tempera on wood in a hand-carved integral wood frame decorated with an incised rope motif. The composition presents the Virgin and Child enthroned and flanked by two haloed saints, both identified in native script above. The perforations on each side indicate that it was most likely part of a triptych. During the 18th and 19th century, Ethiopian artists were increasingly exposed to forms of expression from Europe, and diptychs and triptychs like this example became popular among the nobility and continued to be favored in the 20th century. The painting presents a wide range of jewel-tone colors and a wonderful command of line. Somewhat similar to Byzantine icons in that the composition boldly renounces perspective and presses the figures close to the picture plane, the painting also displays an embrace of figural frontality. A wonderful example. Size: 4.5" L x 3.625" W (11.4 cm x 9.2 cm)
Provenance: private Ventura, California, USA collection
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#122475
Africa, Ethiopia, ca. 1930 to 1950 CE. A striking religious icon delineated in rich tempera on wood in a hand-carved integral wood frame decorated with an incised rope motif. The composition presents the Virgin and Child enthroned and flanked by two haloed saints, both identified in native script above. The perforations on each side indicate that it was most likely part of a triptych. During the 18th and 19th century, Ethiopian artists were increasingly exposed to forms of expression from Europe, and diptychs and triptychs like this example became popular among the nobility and continued to be favored in the 20th century. The painting presents a wide range of jewel-tone colors and a wonderful command of line. Somewhat similar to Byzantine icons in that the composition boldly renounces perspective and presses the figures close to the picture plane, the painting also displays an embrace of figural frontality. A wonderful example. Size: 4.5" L x 3.625" W (11.4 cm x 9.2 cm)
Provenance: private Ventura, California, USA collection
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#122475
Condition
Some surface wear commensurate with age. Threads remain through double perforations; these perforations suggest the piece was once part of a triptych. A very nice example.
Buyer's Premium
- 24.5%
Early 20th C. Ethiopian Wooden Coptic Icon
Estimate $50 - $75
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Item located in Louisville, CO, usOffers In-House Shipping
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