LOT 1912

Ethiopian Diptych with St George and the Dragon

17TH CENTURY A.D.

8 1/4 x 8 1/2 in. (426 grams, 21 x 21.5 cm).

Comprising two square panels bound together, painted cross motifs to the outside; left hand panels showing a polychrome scene of St George (Bet Gorgis) slaying the dragon and thus saving the princess shown on the left; the right panel showing winged St Tekle Haymanot in orans pose, right leg with a wooden prosthetic and the severed foot show on the ground, standing behind a bearded Saint (Saint Samuel of Waldebba?) in similar pose, wearing a flounced skirt with panther and lion heads, dove to the upper right hand corner. [No Reserve]

Ex Alistair McAlpine collection, 2004.
Ex central London gallery.

See Chojnacki, S., 'Notes on Art in Ethiopia in the 16th Century: an Enquiry into the Unknown Author(s)' in: Journal of Ethiopian Studies, Vol. 9, No. 2 (July 1971), pp. 21-97.

According to Leroy, one of the first scholars who extensively studied Ethiopian paintings, the development in Ethiopian art from the middle of the 16th century to the middle of the 18th century followed only one style which emerged as the Gondarene style, named after the capital of the Ethiopian Kingdom, Gondar. Saint George is spearing the dragon with a cross-spear, of which 17th century originals are still visible in the Lalibela Museum. The anatomy of the horse recalls 17th century style, but the horse trappings with the second collar and the high cantle of the saddle are already visible in 15th century icons.