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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)
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.
Provenance: private Ventura, California, USA collection
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